Thirty Years of Peer-Led Advocacy: A Message from Brad Berry

Thirty years ago, Consumer Voices Are Born began as a peer-run organization committed to advocacy and support.  It was a courageous act by the founding group of peers because the odds were against them, they had few national and no regional peer-run agencies to learn from in 1995, and stigma against people living with mental health challenges was in high gear.  They, however, persevered eventually gaining nonprofit corporation status with the federal government in 1997 and securing their first contracts in 2000.  Since 1995, CVAB, as the organization became known, defied expectations and stigma to become a vibrant and vital part of the peer support movement in the region and across the state of Washington. 

Thirty years later, CVAB is now Pier 360, a peer-run organization committed to advocacy and support.  It’s the same organization with courageous peer volunteers and staff who have supported tens of thousands of peers since 1995 showing the power of people with lived experience sharing hope.  Applying the values and principles of the peer recovery movement, teamed with our Pier 360 values, has been our strength for empowering peers in recovery.

So, what does the 31^st year look like?  First, we will continue to support our peers on their individual paths of mental health and or substance use recovery through a variety of innovative services. The supports and services in 2026 include a remodeled East Center, which will include the reopening of the kitchen, The Table at Pier 360, more meeting space and casual spaces, the development of a Maker’s Market, and expanded parking.  We will own Recovery House One in January 2026, making it easier for our agency to support peers because we have found that trying to lease houses on the open market for our purposes is difficult.  We were able to rent a house for Recovery House Two that will open in January 2026.  Pier 360 will be expanding the work of the Pier 360 Academy and Pier 360 Active (sports, recreation, and leisure) in our 31^st year. 

Of course, none of this is possible without the support of our funders, partners formally and informally, and, of course, our incredible team of peer supporters.  Our 31^st year, 2026, will present us with more opportunities to share hope, empower renewal, and support the recovery of our peers.

Learn more about Pier 360’s peer-run approach here.