The Krasman Centre’s Peer Recovery Education Program (PREP) is a comprehensive series of courses and training sessions on Peer Support and Mental Health and Addiction Recovery concepts. The course includes a paid 60-hour internship, offered within a supportive community. This program is designed to support your personal journey towards Peer Supporter employment and support you to enter or progress in the peer, mental health, recovery or social services workforce.
To participate, individuals must meet the following criteria:
- Have lived experience with recovery from mental health and/or addiction challenges, and/or have participated in the services/supports/groups of the Krasman Centre.
- Currently, receiving social assistance benefits – Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) or be
unwaged. - Live in York Region, or North Toronto.
- Internships will be held in-person at one of our Drop-ins or at a partner organization, as pre-approved/appropriate.
- Access to a computer and reliable internet
- The successful applicant will be required to complete a Vulnerable Sector Screening.
- This internship position is conditional upon the candidate having received all doses of a COVID-19 vaccine series approved by Health Canada or the World Health Organization, at least 14 days prior to the start date, as well as the expressed understanding and agreement that the candidate is required to maintain and/or obtain follow-up vaccination(s) doses as approved by Health Canada or the World Health Organization throughout their employment with the Krasman Centre.
- Accommodations are available on request for candidates participating in all aspects of the selection process, as per the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Here are some highlights about the Krasman Centre
PREP Program:
- This is a training and employment preparation program delivered within a supportive environment incorporating the values and principles of recovery, and
peer support. - PREP is made available to participants through bursaries awarded by the United Way. The training is FREE for those selected to participate. (*Please note that not everyone who applies will be selected to participate)
- Applicants must currently be receiving income support, i.e., ODSP or OW, CPP, or be unwaged
PREP is designed to support your personal recovery journey towards Peer Supporter employment and support you to enter or progress in the peer, mental health, recovery or social services workforce.
PREP includes a 60-hour paid internship
- Basic computer skills are required. (Microsoft Windows file management, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint skills are important). Students without computer skills will be referred to outside training centres to brush up on or learn the necessary skills.
- Most training will take place online via Zoom. Please note that some in-person classes will be held in York Region. There will also be in-person components of the internship that will be held in York Region. Please consider this when applying. (Accommodations for transit ticket support considered)
- Participants are expected to attend all classes and may put their certificates at risk if they are not able to do so.
For further information, please contact:
Everly Javier, PREP Supervisor & Recovery Education Coordinator
Email: prep2026-2027@krasmancentre.com
Phone: (289) 763-3388
Recovery education is a supportive peer support learning process that assists people to understand and manage their mental health/addiction problems, enhance their well-being and achieve the lives that they choose. The evidence for recovery education is constantly growing, and the results are:
- Increased sense of hope.
- Increased sense of self-efficacy and empowerment.
- Increase in self-perceived recovery.
- Reduced experiences of psychosis and anxiety.
Recovery education, including peer zone, wellness recovery action planning, pathways to recovery, etc., provides peers with the opportunity to be part of an ever-growing workforce and “the opportunity to give back” as paid peer support workers who facilitate recovery education, groups. It enhances their well-being in many ways, including empowerment and improved physical, psychological, social, and spiritual health. Many people who experience mental distress and addictions struggle financially, and this gives them the opportunity to live more comfortable lives, as well as giving purpose to their lives. Peer support in its many forms is also extremely cost-effective as it reduces hospital admissions, emergency visits, and reliance on other mainstream mental health/addiction services, which are financially more expensive in the mental health/addiction system.
(Source: Making the Case for Peer Support: O’Hagen, Cyr, McKee and Priest, Mental Health Commission of Canada, September 2010).
The following are links to some organizations that offer Peer Support training programs and/or resources for Peer Support workers:
Robyn Priest Live Your Truth – https://www.robynpriest.com/
PeerWorks – https://www.peerworks.ca/training-education/training-professional-development
The Copeland Centre for Wellness and Recovery – https://copelandcenter.com/
Support House – https://supporthouse.ca/peer-services/training-programs/
Peer Support Canada – https://peersupportcanada.ca/
Stella’s Place (in Toronto) has training for youth (18-29): Peer Support Training Program | Stella’s Place (stellasplace.ca)
GraceWins Peer Support: https://gracewins.ca/
The Neighbourhood Group (TNG) Community Services: https://tngcommunityto.org/Programs-Services/Programs/Peer-Programs/Peer-Training-and-Development
Mental Health Rights Coalition
The following are videos of Mary Ellen Copeland leading discussions on the parts of WRAP:
Beginning your WRAP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3taYAUKSRIU
Triggers and Early Warning Signs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wee_Bl-oO0A&t=0s
When Things Are Breaking Down: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOyDIJWvtg4
Crisis & Post-Crisis Plan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4wX-DDzp_s
The following PowerPoint presentations are from the Krasman Centre’s 2016 Conference, Developing and Supporting Peer Support Teams, with Keynote speaker Mary O’Hagan.
Krasman Centre Recovery and Wellbeing O’Hagan