Carol Walsh
President
My name is Carol Walsh. I presently live in Helena Montana where I was born and raised. My recovery led me to the discovery of MPN in 2017 through the PS101 course. I am a recovering alcoholic with a manageable mental illness and continue to empower myself with knowledge and tools to fill my toolbox. As a registered nurse, I would place others needs as more important than mine. Selfcare as a caregiver was not recognized. Alcohol was the social norm so “I didn’t have a problem”. I felt I was doing nothing different than others were doing and they were okay, Recently I have had to learn how to manage a mental illness that I now see affected my life for many years. MPN taught me the importance of a healthy sober lifestyle with a versatile toolbox. I consider my sobriety a gift from the higher power in that I started to become violently ill with every drink. I no longer crave that drink. Being a board member for MPN gives me the opportunity to be a huge part in the expanding healing roles of recovery and trauma. When we look back it may be very dark, it is our responsibility to brighten our own future. MPN is that helping hand.
Darlene Wooden Legs-Looks Behind
Vice President/Treasurer
My name is Darlene Wooden Legs-Looks Behind. Recovery is the foundation of my life, I truly believe that my Higher Power led me to work with people. The last nine years have brought me so much happiness and sadness and everything in between. I have learned that having a Substance abuse problem and mental health issues are not who we are and wont define us. Being clean and sober and walking that recovery path is what brought me to MPN. I have been a CBHPSS since 7/2018. In stepping out of my comfort zone, I am a small business owner-Dragonfly Recovery Resources. I continue to work with people in recovery. I am excited to be able to work with people that believe in Peer Support and their mission.
Andy Malby
Secretary
Early in recovery I dove headfirst into the precept, “you keep it by giving it away” — that service to others is the absolute core of recovery. This has guided my journey and shaped not only my ability to sustain long-term recovery but to enjoy a full and fulfilling life. In 2016 I was blessed to also change careers from journalism to the field of behavioral health, and in 2018 was given the opportunity to become a peer support specialist — easily the most rewarding occupation I have ever had. I’m a big believer in the axiom, “In life, we are most qualified to help the person we used to be” — the best way I have found so far to describe in one sentence what peer support is. Throughout my journey in recovery I have been blessed to be able to help — and be helped by — so many “people I used to be.” Life is full of beautiful gifts like that! In 2023, I was given the opportunity to join the MPN board of directors, and am so grateful to have another chance to pay forward what has been so freely given to me — a life free from the darkness of addiction and mental health challenges. Alongside that, I continue to work as a peer support specialist in Billings and also in Big Sky, where peer support is a fresh, new offering in the community’s thriving behavioral healthcare landscape. In my view, peer support is the most important thing to happen in healthcare since the discovery of antibiotics! It’s exciting to be part of something that saves lives and helps other “people I used to be” find and walk a path to happy, healthy lives in recovery!
Toni Lynn Reicher
My name is Toni Reicher. I'm a mother of two teenage boys. I'm an addict in recovery, I struggle with mental illness and my physical health has been effected by both of those things. I work on all 3 of those struggles every single day along with being a mom, going to school and working. I struggle the most with my mental illness but I'm still learning about it. I don't think we ever stop learning about it and that is the key to overcoming and adapting accordingly. I know that all 3 of these struggles are life long situations that I must work on every day to live a life that I can b proud of and also humble at the same time. Part of my recovery work, mental illness awareness and physical benefits is my Peer support work. It is so much of my own therapy and it is what I have found to benefit my own life simply by helping others with the same struggles. When I associate with others that struggle the benefits to both my client and I are beyond healing. Peer support work also benefits my family and friends. They see compassion, healing, overcoming and understanding that addiction, mental illness and physical health are manageable thru the help of others and the knowledge that anything is possible to achieve with support and belief in ones self. Peer support work has given me not just purpose but also allowed me to understand that overcoming my own struggles have taught me how to help others. I know the feeling of hopelessness and despair but I also know the feeling of overcoming things I never thought I could. I share my stories with others that struggle so they can see they aren't alone and I also share my love when they need it most. Peer support work is not for everyone but I can promise you IT IS FOR ME!
April Seat
April Seat is Hope Rescue Mission’s Director of Outreach and founder of Faith Forward Consulting LLC. April is a leader in her community, and Consultant, who has led and supported building organizations, state programs, and engaging people with lived expertise. The goals are to develop solutions to homelessness and the systems that serve people in a housing crisis. She has been in recovery for 10 years and, for the past 8 years, has been the Director of Outreach for Hope Rescue Mission in Missoula, Montana. Throughout this time, she has had the privilege of contributing to significant positive transformations within homelessness response. Her most notable achievements thus far have been playing a pivotal role in fostering community growth and developing relationships to facilitate systemic change. Thus, ultimately witnessing the successful rehabilitation of individuals experiencing homelessness through the successful Temporary Safe Outdoor Space. The TSOS enables forward movement on the roadmap of Street, Shelter, Recovery, and Stability. Faith Forward Consulting’s primary aim is to share information, educate organizations, and support equitable and meaningful engagement of partners with lived expertise in system-level work
Become A Board Member!
A great way to get involved with MPN, give back to the recovery community and take on a leadership role is to join the board of directors!
Some things to know –
- This is a corporate board of directors. Not a council or ad hoc committee. As a board director you are legally responsible for the corporation
- This is a volunteer position – non compensation can be given to a non profit board of director
- You must identify as being in recovery from mental health, substance use, addiction or trauma
- Must be over 18
- Must be able to commit 3-5 hours per month for 1 year
- Have private access to high speed internet for video conferencing and regular email correspondence
- If you can check all of those boxes click application below to begin the process
If you are interested please complete an application and return it to the office or a current board member.