The Vet 2 Vet Program

In April 2009 Michael K. Peacock received the phone number for a national tele-conference that introduced him to the VA Vet 2 Vet program from the VA LRC Andrew Dahlburg.

While this program was originally designed for veterans with mental illness, Mike learned he could customize Vet 2 Vet so it addresses the challenges veterans are facing in Hawaii.

Mike began by creating this website as an internet resource so that Veterans have the ability to find the services that are available to them and their caretakers.

 More than Peer Facilitators

Moe Armstrong is the founder of the Vet to Vet model of care about 25 years ago during his recovery from mental illness, a no-fault disease.

Because of Moe's journey (found here) a paradigm shift began manifesting itself at VA treatment facilities nationwide.

In this video you can see the focus is on peer facilitators or group leaders. But we also created, several peer-to-peer recovery employment opportunities, the three most prevalent being Peer Specialist, Peer Group Facilitator and Recovery Coach.

How do we share this goodness?

A major question arose in the Hawaii Vet 2 Vet program: How do we share the goodness of our recovery over the long term? The answer was creating an organization emboding the spirit of the Vet 2 Vet model of care. VA staff and veterans embraced this new organization because it offers lifelong growth opportunities for veterans.

Tools in Our Toolkit

As veterans progress through treatment, clinicians often say "Have some tools in your toolkit for your recovery."

This advice led us to create, "The Pacific Islands Consumer Council" enabling us to combine community activities with individual training in keeping with our purpose, vision and mission statement.

Turning Point Acceptance

Realizing a new life or condition of living starts with acceptance. We must accept the fact that we are living our lives are in a negative state of being. When this happens, the process of recovery begins

Desire the Point of Ignition

Being honest with oneself about a destructive lifestyle can ignite a desire for positive change. That's when we begin looking for tools that help create a better way of life for ourselves and others.

 Hope the Foundation

Igniting the desire for change leads to hope, which is the vision or mental picture of our future. Hope as defined in this article is something desired in life that has not manifested but is obtainable by eliminating negative actions such as self-medication with drugs or alcohol.

The Dawn of New Days

Today, Mike and his friends embrace the tools in their toolkit. This allows them to help others find tools that enhance recovery and build upon their strengths.

Thanks to the Vet 2 Vet model of care, the VA, DBSAlliance, veterans, their family members and the community work together to improve lives.

Igniting the flame of desire opens the windows of hope !

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We are people who have been affected by the disease of addiction yet we have overcome and today we are able to work with others and give back. 

Gladly Teach, Gladly Learn

The National Motto of the Vet 2 Vet Program is "Gladly Teach, Gladly Learn.

Hawaii Vet 2 Vet sets out to manifest this motto through Leadership Development and Training.

While every Vet 2 Vet site is autonomous we are submitted to the advisory Leadership of Roy Brown Vet 2 Vet California Founder and our National Training Director.

Moe Armstrong is the Founder of Vet 2 Vet and to this day works hard to ensure that veterans receive the services that they need to recover and live a life that is balanced.

Women Veterans Healthcare

Kim Sheers is the National Coordinator for Vet 2 Vet and a trainer of Facilitators. The ladies say she "wears a lot of hats".

Her extensive knowledge and experience with Mental Health and Recovery issues makes her the "First Lady" of Vet 2 Vet.

Academic Papers on Peer Support

Our Chief Executive

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Self-efficacy is your confidence in your ability to do the task that is before you.

In basic training we went through obstacle courses so that we could perform our duties as service members.

The obstacle course was..,

"The Mastery Experience".

Hawaii Vet 2 Vet has a menu that is practical as well as educational.

Our menu makes it possible for veterans to create their plate, their very own personal mastery experience. 

Our Vision

Advocating, Supporting and Empowering Veterans and Their Families 

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Our Purpose

To Build Relationships with the Men and Women in the Service of Our Nation. Before, During and After Deployment.

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