named programs · 8 · from sources
What they call their work
518 PeerConnect
Peer support and outreach program in Albany County offering one-on-one peer support, advocacy, creative community connections, and community wellness services including a free clothing closet and wellness program.
Community Oriented Re-Entry Program (CORE)
Interagency program providing mental health services and peer support to individuals in the criminal justice system to assist with reintegration after release.
Empowerment Exchange
Peer-run recovery center in Troy, NY providing peer support groups, advocacy, mentoring, and resources for individuals with mental health experiences.
Fresh Start Program
Restorative justice program offering first-time, low-level offenders a chance to clear incidents without a criminal record through education and connection to peer networks and support services.
Lives Forward
Program in Westchester County that prepares incarcerated individuals with criminal justice lived experience to become Certified Peer Specialists through training and certification support.
Peer Support Line
24-hour confidential, non-crisis phone line operated by people in recovery, offering non-judgmental conversation and resource information.
RISE Center
Recovery center in Mount Vernon, NY offering peer bridger services, advocacy, mentoring, and wellness support for individuals transitioning from inpatient care to community living.
Training & Technical Assistance Center
Provides education, consultation, and skill-building to strengthen peer support and promote trauma-informed care across organizations and communities in New York State.
activities · 10 groups
What they do
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12-Step Recovery Support Services 2 activities
- Peer Support ServicesProvides one-on-one peer support using the Intentional Peer Support (IPS) model, peer support groups (in-person and virtual), and a 24-hour confidential non-crisis peer support phone line staffed by individuals in recovery. Services focus on connection, empathy, trust, and personal empowerment for individuals with lived mental health experiences.
- Peer-Run Recovery CentersOperates peer-run recovery centers including the Empowerment Exchange in Troy, NY, and the RISE Center in Mount Vernon, NY, which provide peer bridging, advocacy, mentoring, wellness support, and resources for individuals transitioning from inpatient to community living.
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Disability Rights Advocacy & Self-Advocacy Empowerment 1 activity
- Advocacy and Systems Change InitiativesProvides advocacy and mentoring services to help individuals understand and protect their rights; conducts community organizing, outreach, and collaboration to strengthen peer leadership, collective voice, and address systemic barriers in mental health systems.
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Holiday and Seasonal Essentials Distribution 1 activity
- Community Resource and Basic Needs SupportProvides free community services including a clothing closet with gently used clothing and household items, a community barbershop, and connections to local resources through partnerships with businesses, faith-based organizations, colleges, and agencies.
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Website Accessibility Implementation 1 activity
- Digital Accessibility ImprovementsImplements digital accessibility enhancements in accordance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 to improve access and user experience for individuals with disabilities.
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Reentry Support Services 1 activity
- Justice-Involved Peer Support ServicesDelivers comprehensive peer support services for justice-involved individuals across Westchester and Rensselaer Counties through programs such as Lives Forward, Fresh Start, CORE, Probation Support, TACT, and recovery coaching. Includes restorative justice classes, certification exam support for Peer Specialists, discharge planning, and reintegration coaching to reduce recidivism and hospitalization.
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Professional Training and Certification in Mental Health 1 activity
- New York State Peer Specialist Certification TrainingOperates an eight-week training program that prepares individuals for New York State Peer Specialist certification, including incarcerated individuals seeking certification as Peer Specialists or Recovery Peer Advocates, with support for coursework and exam completion.
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Trauma-Informed Yoga and Mindfulness Programs 1 activity
- Recovery and Wellness ProgramsOffers holistic wellness activities including yoga, meditation, nutrition, acupuncture, and self-help seminars; operates the Pathways to Wellness program with an in-house RN for health education and care linkage; and provides community-based wellness support to promote self-directed recovery and personal empowerment.
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Volunteer and Professional Training Programs 1 activity
- Statewide Training and Skill-Building WorkshopsOffers virtual and in-person skill-building workshops, trainings, and seminars across New York State focused on best practices in peer support, leadership development, advocacy, storytelling, and community engagement.
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Trauma-Informed Community Resilience Initiatives 1 activity
- Technical Assistance and Capacity Building for Peer OrganizationsProvides technical assistance, evaluation tools, ethics guidelines, and outcome measures to peer- and consumer-operated organizations across New York State; partners with agencies to deliver training and strengthen organizational capacity.
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Volunteer Engagement and Capacity Support 1 activity
- Volunteer Program for Skill DevelopmentOffers structured volunteer opportunities designed to help individuals build skills, gain work experience, and connect meaningfully with others within peer support settings.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$2.97M
Contributions & grants$2.97M100%
Program service revenue$00%
Investment income$7000%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$3.15M
Program expenses90%
Admin / overhead10%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$1.95M
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.54M
Cash$199K
Investments$0
Liabilities$643K
Net assets$893K
Liquid reserves0.8 mo
4 years on record · 2021–2024 · YoY revenue -2.1%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMY COLESANTE | CEO | 40 | $115K |
board members · 6
- ASHLEY BRODY — BOARD MEMBER
- DENNIS GREEN — BOARD MEMBER
- GUY FESSENDEN — BOARD MEMBER
- MICHAEL RHODES-DEVEY — PRESIDENT
- PATRICIA DOWSE MS — SECRETARY
- TRACY NEITZEL — TREASURER
relationships · 22
Who they work with
- National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. Partner — Provides the certification pathway for the Certified Recovery Peer Advocate credential that MHEP supports individuals in obtaining.
- National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) Partner — Provides the Certified Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) certification that Lives Forward program participants work toward completing.
- New York Care Solutions Partner — Collaborates with MHEP and other agencies on the Community Oriented Re-Entry Program (CORE).
- New York State Government — Provides assistance to peer support groups and organizations throughout New York State
- Troy Alternative Treatment Court Partner — Collaborates on justice-involved recovery services through the TACT program.
- Troy Alternative Treatment Court Partner — Receives peer-led recovery coaching services from MHEP’s Recovery Support Team in Rensselaer County.
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Network — Follows accessibility standards set by WCAG 2.1 for digital content.
- Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health Partner — Collaborates with MHEP on the Fresh Start Program and the Community Oriented Re-Entry Program (CORE).
- Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health Partner — Collaborates with MHEP on the Fresh Start Program to provide restorative justice services for individuals with first-time, low-level offenses.
- Westchester County Department of Corrections Partner — Partners with MHEP on the Community Oriented Re-Entry Program (CORE) to provide mental health and reentry support.
- Westchester hospitals Partner — Provides Bridger Services for hospital discharge and engagement support within these facilities.
- agencies, groups, and organizations that provide peer support services Partner — Collaborates with peer support agencies and organizations to deliver trainings and community organizing support.
- businesses Partner — Collaborates with local businesses to connect individuals with community resources and opportunities for personal development.
- businesses Partner — Collaborative partner in connecting individuals to local resources and community engagement opportunities
- colleges Partner — Collaborative partner in connecting individuals to local resources and community engagement opportunities
- colleges Partner — Works with colleges to help individuals connect with educational and community resources.
- faith-based communities Partner — Collaborative partner in connecting individuals to local resources and community engagement opportunities
- faith-based communities Partner — Partners with faith-based communities to expand access to local resources and support social connection.
- local Police Departments Partner — Partners with MHEP on the Fresh Start Program to offer restorative justice alternatives for first-time, low-level, non-violent offenses.
- other agencies Partner — Collaborative partner in connecting individuals to local resources and community engagement opportunities
- peer- and consumer-operated organizations Partner — Provides technical assistance and capacity-building support to peer- and consumer-operated organizations across New York State.
- peer-led groups Partner — Provides organizing support and capacity-building to peer-led groups and grassroots initiatives.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Asset-Based, Co-Created Community Empowermentmethodology: asset_based_community_developmentBy building on existing community strengths and co-creating strategies with impacted individuals, we drive sustainable change because it centers community priorities, fosters leadership, and leverages lived knowledge rather than imposing external solutions.
- Intentional Peer Support as Relational Change Modelmethodology: intentional_peer_supportBy using the Intentional Peer Support (IPS) model, we produce transformative recovery relationships because it prioritizes connection, empathy, and mutual trust over clinical hierarchy, enabling deeper personal growth and systemic change.
- Peer-Led, Lived-Experience-Centered Recoverymethodology: peer_led_lived_experienceBy using peer support led by individuals with lived mental health experience, we foster empowerment and recovery because shared experience builds trust, reduces isolation, and promotes self-advocacy more effectively than clinical authority alone.