Stacy Clay

Peer Support Specialist

Stacy Clay is a survivor of systematic racism, poverty, gang violence, incarceration, and physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.

 “It’s not my aptitude but my attitude that determines my altitude or how far I will go …

My Mind is a pearl, I can learn anything in the world …

Just because it rains, I don’t have to drown …

I may have been born in the slums, but the slums were not born in me …

I can rise above my circumstances.”

-Jessie Jackson

Stacy’s story did not end as a statistic or a powerless victim; more importantly, he is committed to empowering others to learn from his experiences and thrive! His personal knowledge about the world was gained through direct, first-hand involvement in everyday events rather than through representations constructed by other people.

Stacy’s lived experience and growth help him approach hard-to-reach individuals across life spans, races, education, and income levels. For several years, Stacy was a tutor for a Domestic Violence Program where he helped participants learn the material from a creative perspective. His skills and abilities allow him to actively listen without judgement as he helped participants delve deeper into their situations, life traps, trauma, and make the program content usable in their everyday life situations. Stacy also understood the importance of addressing education, vocation, literacy, substance abuse, and mental health. He has facilitated: Anger Management, Thinking for a Change, AODA, Restorative Justice, and Adult Victims Of Childhood Trauma.

Stacy embodies the role of a Peer Specialist. He is committed to helping people find their voices and making their own personal choices about their recovery. He values everyone he encounters because of his strong belief that: YOU MATTER.