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Peer Voices of Orange County (PVOC) was first established by Co-Founders Orlando Vera and Johnice Williams, as a fiscally-sponsored project of the Multi-Ethnic Collaborative of Community Agencies (MECCA), with support from MindOC/ the Behavioral Health System Transformation. Orlando and Johnice worked passionately to advocate and advance change for peers, defined as individuals who live with mental health and behavioral health conditions. Through their work within the peer movement and with partnerships in CAMHPRO, Cal Voices, and other statewide organizations, Johnice and Orlando recognized the need for empowering peers and providing them with opportunities to express their opinions, beliefs, feedback, and ideas to enact change. They recognized that change is difficult and that the concerns and opinions of peers were not being heard in the behavioral healthcare system. Our founders were honored to work with Sally Zimmerman, who inspired them and gave them the confidence to view this as an opportunity to implement positive, powerful change within the behavioral health community. They began a movement to unite peers, their families, and mental and behavioral health professionals, to create an improved system that recognized and respected the experiences of people with behavioral health conditions.

In 2020, the SB 803 Peer Support Specialist Certification Act was passed in California. That same year, Peer Voices of Orange County (PVOC) was established as a 501c3 non-profit organization, providing direct support services to peers. Armed with the powerful peer support system created by SB 803, Peer Voice of Orange County sought to elevate and amplify peer voices through Peer Certification, to ensure that peers are involved in every aspect of the behavioral health system. Since then, we have worked tirelessly to unite all people in the behavioral healthcare field, advocate for the wellness of peers, and promote an empowered and informed voice of, by, and for peers with lived experience in the behavioral health care system and in the community.

Our Progams in 2023

Have reached a total of +3,000 people this year

Meet our

amazing Team

Orlando Vera

founder

Orlando Vera is the co-founder of Peer Voices of Orange County (PVOC), a powerful peer-led movement advocating for the needs and opinions of individuals living with behavioral conditions. Born in Cuba and arriving in the United States at the age of 7, Orlando’s journey has been filled with success and challenges. After experiencing the impact of mental illness firsthand and facing the criminal justice system, he found solace and recovery through the support of the Wellness Center and REI. Recognized for his kindness and ability to connect with others, Orlando became a Peer Specialist and quickly advanced to a leadership position, managing a team of specialists. Engaging with organizations like DBSA and serving as vice president of the Orange County Chapter, he dedicated himself to supporting individuals with depression and bipolar disorder. As a state ambassador for Cal Voices, Orlando continues his advocacy work, promoting the reintegration of those incarcerated into the community. Through PVOC, Orlando strives to empower peers, families, and behavioral health care providers, making their voices heard and driving positive change in the behavioral health community.

Mary McQueen

ceo of peer voices los angeles

Mary McQueen is an African American Woman, formerly incarcerated survivor, consumer, advocate, and abolitionist, in addition to her role as CEO of Peer Voices of Los Angeles. While incarcerated, Mary became a fierce advocate, and before winning her freedom herself by writ of habeas corpus, Mary studied Law as well as Psychology. Since being home, Mary has done lots of advocacy at the intersection of Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System. She also has experience as a Clinical Wellness Advocate III, Substance Use counselor, Peer Reentry Navigator, SB803 Regional Trainer, and Peer Support Specialist Certification Trainer. Mary’s passion is facilitating in Juvenile Halls mentoring youths. mary@peervoices.org

Robert Forte

ceo of peer voices San Diego

Robert Forte is the CEO of Peer Voices of San Diego and part of Lifeline Inmate Services / LIS Consulting, providing sustainability services to clients confined in the county jail system who are unable to bail out. With over 20 years of personal experience within the criminal justice system, Robert overcame addiction, childhood trauma, and a dysfunctional family environment. As the Regional Case Manager for Metro Community Ministries, he focused on successful re-entry for older offenders, utilizing his lived experience to guide individuals through the challenges they face. With a strong network of relationships with California State parole, County Probation, San Diego Sheriff Department, and the District Attorney’s Office, Robert fosters change and fills the gaps in the system. He actively participates in various boards and committees, including the Care Center, Re-entry Roundtable’s Policy and Procedure Subcommittee, Juvenile Justice Task Force Board, Council on Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health Board, and Black Men and Black Women United. Through innovative projects like a comprehensive video showcasing re-entry services in partnership with the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, Robert works to improve outcomes for individuals re-entering society. Currently, as a State Ambassador for Access Cal-Voices, Robert continues to advocate for criminal justice and mental health reform, making a positive impact on individuals’ lives.

Yadira Castro

Director of Peers PVOC

My name is Yadira, I am 43 years old, since childhood I have been suffering from mood swings, depression bipolar, suicidal thoughts, anxiety and ADHD. In 2006, I became a single mother of four children, and I was struggling with my mental health. In 2008, I began volunteering at the Mental Health Association of Orange County, and this program opened the doors to a single mother struggling, and this program guided me to where I am today. I volunteered in their thrift store for a year, and this program motivated me to want more in life. My supervisor at the time offered me a part-time job as a housing specialist for the homeless, and as a mother struggling to keep a stable home for my children, I was inspired to help others struggling with housing retention and mental health. Right after I was offered a full-time position for the HPRP program in Anaheim, 2009, I was offered a position at Wellness Center South as a housing specialist. After a year, I became the Assistance Program Director for this wonderful program that provides peers struggling with mental health with a safe place where they can be themselves, after years of struggling with depression, bipolar, suicidal thoughts, anxiety, and ADHD, I felt I proved that it is possible to succeed in life, with all my life obstacles and still working on my recovery journey, I became a home owner and a business owner, and I’m still working on my life’s passions and motivations with Peer Voices of Orange County.

Melani Naldi

Director of Justice Intervention

Mental health has always been something I have been passionate about ever since I was properly diagnosed while in custody. I believe that mental health is just as important as physical health, and that everyone deserves access to high-quality mental health care. While in custody I found out that I was always drowning my issues with alcohol and drugs. While in the process of ongoing treatment I now have an extreme passion for those who want recovery. I am passionate about raising awareness of mental health issues and breaking down the stigma that surrounds them. I believe that by educating people about mental health and providing support to those who need it, we can make a real difference in the lives of millions of people.

Jason Stentz

Outreach Specialist

In 2009 I started to work as a coach and advocate for adults with intellectual disabilities. As someone who has ADHD and dyslexia, I was able to empathize with my clients, and I became a mentor to many of them. At the same time, I was not dealing with the depression that has been a part of my life for several years. My world changed in 2018; I began to work at Wellness Center Central. In that position, I was not only able to better deal with my own depression, but I contributed to the mental health community of Orange County. Joining Peer Voices of Orange County (PVOC) in 2021 has allowed me to reach even more members of our community. From helping peers with finding resources to presenting PVOC’s services at major events, I have become an even better advocate for our community. I am excited not only about the future of PVOC, but my own journey to personal recovery.

Dan Verdugo

Addiction & Recovery Specialist

A Peer Mentor at Wellness Center South in 2016, I facilitated 13 groups while connecting, inspiring, giving hope to members. In 2018, became a Peer Lead at Wellness Center Central. In 2021, was hired at Peer Voices of Orange County. I have over 33 years of sobriety and overcoming a lot of disappointments in life. Mental Health means a starting point to strive, improve and find ones meaning and purpose. I am a person of hope and compassion and love viewing peers recover and being transformed into a person for seeing them as a true person, not the condition.

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