Ann Arbor- The Power of Celebrating Differences

The Power of Celebrating Differences is a full-day, skills-based training designed for peer professionals supporting individuals in their recovery journeys. Together, we explore how identity, values, and lived experience shape recovery and influence how people find healing, connection, and hope.

Through conversation, hands-on activities, and reflection, peers will build skills in humility and understanding how overlapping identities and experiences shape people’s lives, supporting trust, choice, and mutual respect. Peers will examine barriers and stigma across differences and practice approaches that build trust, respect choice, and strengthen peer relationships that honor both mental health and substance use recovery.

Participants will leave with practical tools to:

• Celebrate what makes each person unique.
• Build authentic, trust-based peer connections.
• Create recovery spaces where every voice and pathway matter.

This training emphasizes openness, curiosity, and connections, supporting peers to lead with respect, recognize strengths, and walk alongside others in ways that truly support recovery.

About the Trainers:

Jose Salinas, CPSS, CPRC, is dually certified as a Peer Support Specialist and Peer Recovery Coach and a state of Michigan Peer trainer. With over a decade of experience in peer support, Jose has facilitated trainings in Mental Health First Aid, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), Emotional CPR, and mindfulness-based programs for addiction recovery. He is deeply committed to helping individuals navigate recovery from substance use and mental health challenges, offering trauma-sensitive, and compassionate support rooted in lived experience.

A person in long-term recovery from addiction, mental health conditions, trauma, and poverty, Jose is passionate about sharing his story to inspire hope and healing in others. He finds strength and connection through nature, community, and his two loyal Australian Shepherds, Chiquis, and Peques—his sunrise running partners on hidden trails. Jose believes he didn’t survive addiction for himself alone, but to support others. His life’s work is guided by a drive to help people find their own paths to wellness and recovery.

Hunter Spiess, CPRC, CPSS, is an individual in long-term recovery who is dually certified as a Peer Support Specialist and Peer Recovery Coach. With five years of experience in the peer profession and a strong background in harm reduction, Hunter is committed to supporting individuals navigating substance use, mental health challenges, and personal transformation.

Grounded in ethics, compassion, and lived experience, he brings a steady, person-centered approach to recovery support and training as a peer trainer for MDHHS. Hunter is also a musician and a proud uncle to two wonderful children, who continually inspire his dedication to fostering hope, resilience, and connection within the communities he serves.

Eligible for 6.5 Continuing Education credits.

Coffee and lunch will be served at this training.

Registration: Please register below (on this site) using a credit or debit card, which is the quickest way to confirm your attendance. ONLY if you need to pay by check, please complete this form (click here) and email it to: registration@mipeers.org. Do not use this form if you are paying by credit/debit card. Please note that this form takes up to 5 business days for processing, and placement is not assured until you receive a confirmation of your registration.

Cancellation Policy: Registrations may be transferred to another employee of the same agency upon written request to registration@mipeers.org. Cancellations must be received in writing at least 12 days prior to the date of the training. Failure to cancel registration within the allotted time will result in registration fees being forfeited. For questions, e-mail registration@mipeers.org.

Attendance Policy: You must attend the entire training. If you are more than 10 minutes late you will not be allowed to attend as part of the CE requirements. Breaks are built into the training schedule. Participants who miss more than 10 minutes of the training outside of scheduled breaks will not receive CE credit. Attendees must follow the training guidelines.