Trauma Survivor Project
(TSP)
Peer-to-Peer Support

Project ABLE

Creating a Recovery Environment

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Project ABLE offers services for adults that promote healing through an acknowledgement and celebration of an individual’s strengths, resiliencies, talents, autonomy and inherent worth. Opportunities for other diverse and meaningful community roles and valuable relationships.

Project ABLE provides opportunities for:

Project ABLE is an Oregon nonprofit corporation formed by and for consumers of mental health services. Project ABLE wishes to recognize the unwavering support of the Marion County Health Department (MCHD) and the Mid-Valley Behavioral Care Network (MVBCN). Since its inception in October 2003, Project ABLE has designed, implemented and operated a volunteer/mentor program that delivers an array of peer-to-peer services, including trauma survivors, medication education/advocacy for consumers and providers, and consumer care partnerships.

Project ABLE defines mental health consumers/participants as people who are, or have been, clients of professional mental health services, such as Community Mental Health Centers; patients of psychiatric hospitalization; survivors of mental illness; and recipients of inpatient or outpatient chemical dependency services.

From its inception Project ABLE has created and operated a vibrant and vital organization that involves consumers in all aspects of its mission. Project ABLE's programs have been recognized throughout Oregon and the nation for its award-winning peer support programs.

Project ABLE has extensive experience in implementing peer support programs and a cadre of trained volunteers. Project ABLE has established community relationships with a number of organizations such as, the YMCA, NAMI, MHA, Salem Hospital, Bridgeway, Portland State University, and numerous peer-run and provider organizations throughout Oregon.

The Board of Directors of  Project ABLE is deeply committed to the intrinsic value and belief in the mission and vision of Project ABLE.

Project ABLE currently contracts with the Mid-Valley Behavioral Care Network (BCN) (www.mvbcn.org) to recruit, train and supervise volunteers to support and mentor individuals with trauma-related disorders and frequent need of psychiatric crisis and hospital services. The volunteers are not behavioral health providers; they are a support person who walks the path of hopefulness and recovery with the survivor.

The primary role of the volunteer is to provide emotional support and companionship to consumers, and help them strengthen participation in the community, broaden support networks, and identify goals in their lives and find resources to help meet those goals. Volunteers providing peer support help fill the gap between the service delivery system and the survivors need for connection, and the feeling of being cared about.