Peer Wellness Specialists
Meet the Team!
You can contact us remotely and get the peer support you still need. Here are our Peers with a brief bio that include their contact numbers and the hours they are available. Also, feel free to use our 'Contact Us' page and send a general message and have us reach out to you!
John Kightlinger
Peer Wellness Specialist
MCJ, CPSS, QMHA
My name is John and I am a Peer Wellness Specialist and have been in the field since 2017. I currently work for New Narrative at the Comfort Zone. I have experience in both clinical and peer-run settings.
I have specialized in jail diversion and mobile crisis. I also have experience providing support with Social Security.
My educational background is in criminology and criminal justice. Being a peer, I have lived personal life experiences that equip me to support people who may have similar experiences or are interested in certain topics.
Some topics I am familiar with include bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, anxiety, psychosis, childhood trauma, psychiatric hospitalization, outpatient services, and psychotropic medication.
I am more than happy to provide peer support by using my personal and professional experience to those who are interested.
Drew Didway
Peer Wellness Specialist
My name is Drew and I have worked as a Peer Wellness Specialist and Recovery Coach since 2016. For years I struggled with mental health and addiction, busting through several rock bottoms, and ending up so deep in addiction I could not see any way out. I am among millions of people in this country who are in recovery. I have lived with PTSD, gang violence, OCD, chronic pain, addiction, houselessness, and being in and out of jail.
Today I support myself and others through meditation, art, hiking, nature, music, service to others, and understanding I'm a healthier person with purpose because of my struggles, not in spite of them.
White Bison Medicine Wheel 12-Step Facilitator
GPR Suicide Intervention Certificate
Mental Health First Aid Certificate
Peer Wellness Specialist Certificate
(971) 706-4334
Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
Dahlton Burke
Program Manager
I’ve have been part of New Narrative since 2015. I am self educated; my discovery and growth as a peer comes from a long road of self-care with many starts and stops along the way. I am a strong advocate for the the Queer and BIPOC communities.
I have lived experience in:
Autism, C-PTSD, Houselessness, Severe Depression
Generalized Anxiety, Partial Epilepsy (Post Surgery), Childhood physical and sexual abuse, queer/LGBTQIA (I’m trans and identify as non-binary), Suicidal outpatient and inpatient services
I have certifications/training in:
PWS (Peer Wellness Specialist), AED/First Aid/CPR, ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), Alt2S (Alternatives to Suicide), CCAR (Cultural-Centered Approach to Recovery), DBT (Dialectal Behavioral Therapy)
I’m an amateur artist with interests in games (tabletop and digital). I’ve attended many conventions but have only cosplayed less than a handful of times. I am comfortable with being casual to empower personal connection with those I work with, however, I can very easily transition to a more formal way of conversation when needed. My cat’s name is Nicolas Cage because he likes to scream and knows a few tricks.