Change Consultant Evelyn Clark was just recently awarded for her work in justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) and social justice within peer support. Presented by Jones Community Solutions, a Black-owned peer organization in Washington state, the Peer-O Award represents so much more for Evelyn.
The peer movement has been majority white-dominated since it began in the 1970’s. While people were fighting for a just mental health system, during this time, Black and Brown people were headed to prison instead of mental health treatment. When Evelyn began peer work in 2012, she witnessed and experienced the disparities and racism within the peer workforce. When speaking up, she experienced pushback and encountered many hardships along the way. She was often told that her approach was too much, that she was too much, and was repeatedly questioned about her experiences and those of whom she served.
Despite the hardships, she continued to do the work for youth and families impacted by rampant racism within systems of care (SOC). She worked her way from being incarcerated as a young person to working with youth in community-based mental health and SOC, to the state government, and now, the national, federal, and international levels. As a Change Consultant and JEDI Trainer, Evelyn continues to incorporate the voices of those negatively impacted by systems of care.
Evelyn is grateful for her lived experience within the incarceration system and the peer support role, the foundation of her career. Change Matrix celebrates this award and Evelyn’s continued systems change work.
Pictured: Josh Smith, JCS; Evelyn Clark, CM, Annette Jones, co-owner of JCS; and Javan Jones, co-owner of JCS
