CASES is pleased to announce that Helen “Skip” Skipper, Executive Director of the New York City Justice Peer Initiative (JPI) was recently honored with the prestigious Equity Champion of the Year Award at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Trailblazers in Advancing Recovery (STAR) awards in Washington D.C. The Equity Champion of the Year Award recognizes Skip’s outstanding contributions as a champion for equity and social justice, honoring her tireless advocacy for Justice Peers–individuals with lived experience in the criminal legal system (CLS) and behavioral health recovery.
Through peer-led advocacy, training, and technical assistance, JPI works to transform systems that impact CLS-affected individuals, ensuring their voices are central to creating equitable and effective support services. Beyond her leadership of JPI, Skip’s dedication to equity and inclusion extends to her roles as a Peer Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) trainer for the NYPD, Vice Chair of the NYC Board of Corrections, and consultant on nationwide inclusive practices. Skip’s journey, marked by her own lived experience in the CLS, embodies the power of transforming lived experience into professional expertise. This honor is a testament to the profound impact she’s had on the recovery community, especially in ensuring that CLS-impacted individuals are seen, heard, and supported.
Skip was one of the few African American recipients at the STAR awards, a distinction she acknowledged with both pride and the reminder of the ongoing work needed to secure equitable recognition for BIPOC leaders. Reflecting on her experience at the ceremony, Skip shared, “it was an honor to be recognized, but we’re still not where we need to be. We’re getting a seat at the table, but it’s often at the kid’s table—there’s still so much more to do to get full support and recognition for those of us with lived experience.” She emphasized the ongoing need for more resources, particularly funding, to continue making meaningful change for CLS-impacted individuals and creating pathways for equity in the CLS.
Speaking on these accomplishments, Skip expressed deep gratitude for CASES’ unwavering support for JPI. “I am so grateful to CASES,” she shared. “I wouldn’t be where I am now if it wasn’t for CASES giving us space, giving us wings, and helping us to fly.” As the fiscal sponsor for JPI, CASES is proud to work closely with Skip to advance our shared commitment to strengthening the Peer workforce in NYC and center the voices of directly impacted people at every level of service design, delivery, and policy advocacy.
