The Transitional Age Youth (TAY) Outreach Project is a statewide initiative of On Our Own of Maryland whose mission is to empower youth with mental health and/or substance use struggles to share their experiences and speak out about the kinds of supports and services they'd like to see within the behavioral health system where they receive care. This project hopes to foster and understanding that the life experiences of young adults are full of unique insights and that they are able to reach out and touch the lives of other young adults through peer support and to advocate for a behavioral health system that adequately addresses their needs and honors their voices.

I worked off site at On Our Own of Howard County, one of the peer run wellness and recovery centers in On Our Own of Maryland's statewide network. On Our Own of Howard County was originally founded in 1985 as a self help advocacy organization. The center has primarily served the mental health recovery community until 2013 when they expanded their mission to include substance use support.The mission of On Our Own of Howard County is to provide peer support, advocacy, education, and social connectedness to any persons with behavioral health struggles in any form and seek to empower individuals to be active participants in their personal recovery.There are daily support groups and activities, workshops, and training opportunities. OOOHC believes that everyone has something of value to share and will welcome you as you are. Individuals will be supported to find the right path for their own recovery and will find acceptance and non-judgmental support.