Virtual Lunch and Learn: Helen "Skip" Skipper

Helen Skipper (“Skip”) has been working in peer support since her release from incarceration in 2007. She previously was the senior manager of peer services at the New York City Criminal Justice Agency. In this position, she was intentional about creating space for individuals with lived experiences. In March 2022, she became the founding executive director at the NYC Justice Peer Initiative. Skipper was formerly a community research assistant at Urban Institute. In this role, she worked on several research initiatives representing community voices and lived experiences and continues as a consultant. She is considered a national subject-matter expert.

Skipper previously held several leadership positions as the inaugural executive chair of the NYC Peer Workforce Coalition and an executive team member of the NYC Justice Peer Initiative. Skipper was also previously the inaugural peer supervisor for the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. She lives by her mantra: “I’ve…