Peer Support: Helping Alaskans on the path to recovery

Alaska Peer Support helps people navigate behavioral health and addiction treatment services — and proponents say the program is transforming its field.
Three people in car smiling for a selfie
With over ten years of supporting youth and young adults at VOA Alaska, Mike Cunningham (left) has created a legacy of hope and healing throughout our community. He calls it “a blessing” any time he has the opportunity check-in with them and hear about their lives and what they’ve been up to since graduating from our services.
Three people in car smiling for a selfie
With over ten years of supporting youth and young adults at VOA Alaska, Mike Cunningham (left) has created a legacy of hope and healing throughout our community. He calls it “a blessing” any time he has the opportunity check-in with them and hear about their lives and what they’ve been up to since graduating from our services.

“Through the years you never know what seed is going to be planted with that client, what they’ll remember later on when it’s their time, their moment,” says VOA’s Mike Cunningham, Director of Access & Engagement.

The Alaska Department of Health sponsored this story celebrating the success of the Peer Support Professional certification program, which began in 2020. In the story, read how VOA and others in Alaska are using peer support to connect with the youth and adults in their care and empower them to achieve their goals.