Pros
You will get to work alongside some of the most inspiring and talented humans working in the peer support movement. Other benefits are being able to serve and connect authentically with peers accessing services. Competitive pay and benefits if you are a salaried employee, abysmal pay if you are a contractor. This is also because peer workers across the country, and especially NC are underpaid and undervalued. The executive leadership would not exist without the labor of the peer workers. Yet, their salaries and interests are often self serving. Sadly, many come to PRN with a lot of passion-that's why we choose to do this work! Getting to share our lived experiences, ideas, collaborating and co-creating spaces for others who struggle to feel seen, heard, or valued because of systemic oppression, stigmatization and harm experienced in interpersonal relationships.
Cons
Lack of opportunities to truly utilize your voice and talents with proper support and resources. Use of retaliation and silencing any voices of dissent that aim to bring to light the lack of integrity in the mission and services, as well as challenges with top down power dynamics. PRN likes to bolster being a peer led agency, but those doing the brunt of the work go unrecognized mostly. CEO and c-suite staff exploit the peers they hire. Harmful HR practices that are also not in congruence with ADA or Peer Movement values. CEO has a habit of needing to be in the spotlight all of the time, overshadowing other peers at the agency and creating disempowering relational dynamics. Lack of awareness or accountability. Lots of dishonest practices and misuse of funds. Ironically, mental health care for their workers is ignored, put on the employees in a very toxic way and exacerbated by the work pressures as well as the environment. Many have experienced retraumatization, gaslighting and other abuses. If you are someone who speaks truth and challenges incongruencies, you will be met with all of the above. PRN likes to say social justice advocacy is at the heart of their work, this could not be further from the truth. Social Justice is not represented here, nor are the roots and histories of our most vulnerable, marginalized peers. Lots of white savorism and covert racism. A lot of lip service. They are embedded with many other people in positions of power which make it easier for them to maintain this facade. A look over the last 5 years alone will show you some of the heinous (many illegal) acts that led to many resigning, being bullied to quit, or wrongfully fired.