Our Story
A grassroots nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of peers, supporters, and other lived experience workers.
Who We Are
Is a grassroots nonprofit labor organization dedicated to improving the lives of peers, supporters, and other lived experience workers. We believe in the power of peer support and aim to provide resources and advocacy for those who support others in their recovery, health, and well-being.
Our mission is to provide our members with the advocacy and resources they need to succeed in their employment goals and promote the core values of peer support, including accessible, equitable, person-directed planning with informed consent.
What We Do
We believe in the power of Peer Support and strive to establish cooperative relationships with all professionals and organizations.
We strive to establish cooperative relationships with all professionals and organizations to increase recognition of the value of Peer Support in the overall care continuum.
We are committed to utilizing evidence-based practices and the latest information and technologies to offer high-quality training sessions to our members and organizations.
Our goals for supervisors are that they are certified Peers or equally lived experts in their fields — embedded champions who organize training, provide support, mentorship, and more.
We provide members with access to resources and services such as training, professional development, job placement assistance, networking, and advocacy efforts.
Our advocacy efforts are aimed at increasing funding for supporter employment and programs at local, state, and national levels.
Training sessions are available to the public, with proceeds funding our nonprofit organizational objectives and expanding our reach.
What We Stand For
At Pure Support, we are committed to upholding the values set forth by the National Association of Peer Supporters (N.A.P.S.) in their National Practice Guidelines.
We do not collect dues for ideological or political purposes and are dedicated to providing our members with the resources and services they need to succeed in their employment goals.
What Your Donation Funds
With your support, we are building toward these essential services.
Education
Peer support occurs when people provide knowledge, experience, and emotional, social, or practical help to each other. It commonly refers to an initiative consisting of trained supporters, and can take a number of forms such as peer mentoring, reflective listening, or counseling. — Wikipedia, 3/11/23
Peer workers offer encouragement, practical assistance, guidance, and understanding to support recovery. They walk alongside people in recovery, offering individualized support and demonstrating that recovery is possible. They share their own lived experience of moving from hopelessness to hope and tools that can complement or replace clinical supports.
Empathy and camaraderie — connecting on a human level through shared experience.
Connections to information and referrals to community resources that support health and wellness.
Concrete supports such as housing or employment — real-world help for real-world needs.
Connections to community supports, activities, and events that foster belonging.
Leadership
Here are just a few of the dedicated individuals leading Pure Support's mission.
A Senior Human Resources Leader with over 20 years of human resources management and leadership experience. Corey has notable experience in strategic HR planning, performance management, employee and labor relations, federal and state law compliance, communication, change management, and management coaching.
Corey has spent the last seven years working in "Big Tech" for fortune 500 companies in the roles of Senior Employee Relations Manager, HR/ER Partner Lead, and HR Manager. Prior to that, he worked in healthcare providing HR leadership support to hospitals, pharmacies, clinics, and medical distribution centers.
He holds an MBA from Oklahoma City University, HR certificates from the University of Phoenix and George Mason University, and a bachelor's degree in biology from Wiley College. He is a member of SHRM with a Senior Certified Professional designation and has also served as an adjunct professor.
"The path to financial freedom is ownership, unionization, and Cooperatives. Collective Collaboration between them is the future I envision."
A dedicated professional and the founding member of Pure Support. Mitchell's passion for empowering others has led them to actively participate in several influential associations such as the National Peer Support Warmline Council (NPSWC), NAADAC, NAMI, and as a current co-chair of Wisconsin's Recovery Implementation Task Force (RITF).
With a rich professional background, Mitchell draws from experiences as a former Manager and Union member in the trades, as well as their current role as a certified peer support specialist. Their deep commitment to fostering positive change extends beyond their organizational responsibilities, as they generously volunteer their time and support both locally and online.
Mitchell Sherman embodies a relentless dedication to peer support and is an invaluable asset to their field. Through their leadership and involvement in influential organizations, Mitchell continues to shape and empower the lives of countless individuals.