Recovery is not something any of us are meant to do alone. We see every day how hope grows through connection. Sometimes that looks like a conversation over coffee, a shared meal, a support circle, or simply someone showing up and reminding another person that they matter. The same is true for our community. Supporting Pier 360 doesn't always mean making a financial gift. Every act of encouragement, every shared post, every introduction, and every person who helps spread the

Recovery isn't only about the hard work—it also grows through laughter, shared experiences, fresh air, and moments of joy. Step outside, discover something new, and spend time with people who understand the value of connection. Whether you're looking for adventure, movement, creativity, or simply a place to belong, there's something waiting for you this August. Dungeons & Dragons Thursdays, August 13 & 27 | 4:00–6:00 PM Whether you're an experienced adventurer or brand new to

One of the key principles of the peer movement is the drive for social justice. As we enter the early days of summer in the month of June, there are three significant reminders of the importance of social justice: Pride, Juneteenth, and Flag Day. June is Pride Month, commemorating the Stonewall Uprising of 1969 and affirming and celebrating the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. Juneteenth is June 19, a holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States when the fina

Many people in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community have experienced rejection, discrimination, isolation, or pressure to be someone they are not. These experiences can have a profound impact on mental health and well-being. Research consistently shows that when people experience acceptance, connection, and community, outcomes improve. Feeling safe enough to be yourself in this world matters. Feeling welcomed, respected, and accepted for who you are matters. For many people, recovery is

This article reflects my personal experiences and recovery journey. Everyone's experience with trauma, mental health, and recovery is different. It took several years, multiple diagnoses, therapy, and a lot of self-reflection before I began to understand that many of my mental health challenges might be connected to trauma. For the sake of PTSD Awareness Month, I wanted to spend some time reflecting on that connection. Like many people, I thought PTSD was something that prima

Peer support is built on lived experience, trust, and connection. When people feel understood, outcomes begin to shift. Research shows that peer support is associated with reduced hospitalizations, stronger engagement in services, and improved recovery outcomes—while also supporting something less measurable but just as important: a sense of belonging, hope, and possibility.

Explore our acitivities and outings this month for May at Pier 360.

Celebrate creativity, recovery, and lived experience! Peer Art Gallery (West Center Room C210) Friday, April 17 at 6PM Join us for a gallery walk, artist bios, and a group collaboration project. Open to peers, friends, and community! Submit artwork by April 10th Peers may submit up to 3 pieces of artwork. Pier 360 West Room C210 1601 E. Fourth Plain Blvd. Bldg. 17 Ste. A114 Vancouver, WA 98661 Phone: (360) 397-8050 See the Pier 360 Calendar for more this month!

As the season begins to shift, we invite you to step into movement, connection, and fresh air with us this April. Whether you’re looking for something active, creative, or simply a chance to be in community, there’s a place for you here.

An early “influencer” for me was Henri Nouwen, a priest who spent the last 10 years of his life at L’Arche Daybreak in Ontario, Canada before dying in 1996. Among his many good deeds, he wrote extensively and authored more than 40 books, I own 18 of them. In one of his books, he writes about hospitality and its purpose. “Hospitality , therefore, means primarily the creation of a free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend […]. Hospitality is not to change p

Pier 360 Executive Director, Brad Berry, was hired 20 years ago today. We take a moment to honor his steady, often unseen service and leadership over the years.

As we move toward longer days and early signs of spring, March offers opportunities to connect — through art, outdoor exploration, friendly competition, and shared creative space. Whether you prefer quiet reflection in a museum gallery, movement on a trail, or laughter over a game night, we invite you to join us. As always, participation is free, and all activities are grounded in peer support and community connection. Portland Art Museum Free First Thursday Join us in explor

Twenty years. March 2026 will mark my twentieth year as the Executive Director of Pier 360. It has been a remarkable experience, and it is because of the peers that have worked here and the peers that have actively engaged in their recovery, both past and present. The thing that has stood out for me through the years is just how creative and resourceful our peer community is when it comes to finding a way to get things done. This is why innovation is one of our Core Values .

As part of a long-anticipated investment in our spaces, Pier 360 East Center is temporarily closed while we complete a remodel. We will share updates and announce our reopening once the work is complete in 2026. This remodel is an important step forward for our organization and our community. The updates are designed to better support the people who gather here and the programs we are growing toward. What’s Coming When East Center reopens, the space will include: More parkin

This February, Pier 360’s activities and outings are rooted in Courage, connection, and community — offering creative spaces, outdoor experiences, and opportunities to be seen and supported together.

In this month’s message, Executive Director Brad Berry reflects on courage as a matter of the heart — the quiet determination it takes to face daily challenges. He invites our community to see and honor the courage in one another, reminding us that connection makes resilience stronger.

January at Pier 360 centers on resilience and winter wellness, with community activities, creative connection, and support groups. Read more about this month’s offerings.

Images of community, dignity, and support. As the year draws to a close, many of us take time to reflect—on what we’ve endured, what we’ve learned, and what supported us in staying connected through it all. At Pier 360, we know recovery doesn’t happen in isolation. It happens in relationship, in consistency, and in spaces where people are met with dignity and understanding. Pier 360 is a peer-run organization led by people with lived experience in mental health and substance

Images of reflection and stillness this Winter. Scenes outside with snow and ice reflected in a still lake, a stone that says Reflect on it, a person making a heart with their hands over the sunlight, a pier reflected upside down in a glass sphere, and a Winter scene reflected in a side-view car mirror. Winter invites us into a season of contrast—light and shadow, celebration and remembrance, gathering and solitude. As the holidays arrive, many people feel joy. Others feel g

We have exciting news to share—Pier 360 has received a matching grant for Give More 24! This means that every gift you make during the campaign will be doubled , dollar for dollar. Two peers are placing individual strengths around the Pier 360 logo set in a GiveMore24! frame that says, "Together, we can do more." Your generosity won’t just stop at one act of kindness—it will ripple outward, multiplying its impact in our community. When you give, you’re helping to create more