A Peer’s Rise: Recovery, Trust, and Building Yakima’s Hope Hub (w/guest Justin Peterson)

Some stories turn on a single dramatic moment. Ours turns on tacos, a phone call from law enforcement, and a walk to buy shoes that fit. From there, Justin’s path moves from a street nickname and 90-day ceilings to three years sober, a full keyring of trust, and a new role leading Peers Rising’s Yakima office. We talk about the early days when treatment almost didn’t stick, the two-week click that changed the slope of recovery, and the longest conversation he ever had with his son—the one that re-centered everything.We pull back the curtain on how peer support works when it starts with hospitality, not hurdles. Walk in, grab coffee, use a computer, take a breath, leave if that’s all you’ve got today. No gatekeepers. No shame. That open-door stance turns suspicion into curiosity and makes space for real asks: a gas card to get to court, help with a resume, a treatment referral, or simply a place to unload the weight. We explore the role of behavioral health court and counseling in creating structure, and why tiny routines—meetings, walks, journaling, one line of reading—are enough to keep momentum when motivation is thin.We also share a bigger vision for the future: treatment without arbitrary clocks and a full-time bridge program that pairs job skills with daily self-esteem work, so purpose becomes a practice rather than a promise. Along the way, you’ll hear gratitude for the people who made a difference—ex-spouses who reopened the door, officers who chose a call over cuffs, and peers who refused to give up. If you or someone you love feels stuck, this conversation is a hand on your shoulder saying: hang on; waking up means there’s still a chance. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review to help more people find a way forward. Social Media LinksSupport the show