Michael Lidel (he/they) was born and raised in Seattle. He’s been called a polymath as he is variously a musician, mathematician, published author, poet, mentor, and public speaker who is passionate about helping to provide a space of safety, health, and vision where people, in a chaotic world, can breathe and think, feel seen, be heard, and be supported in the building of a self-directed, fulfilling life. His lived experience spans decades, uniquely placing him in the center of our work as social servants. He approaches every role grounded in the belief that we are never really stuck and that every “problem” is an opportunity to grow and elevate. He believes grace, empathy, and inclusion must precede every needful encounter. With lived experience as a homeless youth, and later, in the carceral system, shaped by those outward-flowing traumas, alongside mental health and substance use issues,  Michael knows both the power of hope realized and the challenges faced in its absence.   As a Peer Specialist with Peer, he provides insight, care, and support to assist individuals in taking control of their lives in a way that allows a healing space to thrive. When not at work, he enjoys watching his wife putter around in their garden while their cat, Ollie, the King of the Scaredy Cats, sits in the doorway watching, wanting to be brave.

Coming Soon!

Olivia was born in Miami, FL, and has since lived in several different US states, as well as abroad in Italy and the Netherlands. Her family members struggled with addiction from early on, and over time, this took a toll that caused her family to be torn apart. As early as possible, Olivia left home to join the military; an act that was primarily to afford college but led to the realization that America was disregarding its most vulnerable and marginalized populations on a systemic level. This understanding carried through Olivia’s actions in activism on a small scale for the next decade through college and work in the Entertainment industry as an Artist. Her priorities and career focus changed throughout the years following COVID, with social and political strain revealing the pressing reality that things will not improve unless active work is done in social and communal spaces to improve the well-being and life circumstances of all people.

Olivia started as a volunteer at Peer Seattle, became a facilitator, and is now honored and excited to be Peer Seattle’s Volunteer Coordinator. Outside of work, Olivia is still involved in the arts and generally has several unfinished projects going on at any one time, and is also an avid gamer and Trekkie. She lives in Capitol Hill, a neighborhood she loves dearly.

The roots of Jade’s recovery journey begin when she took the first steps towards accepting her gender identity. Growing up in a small, rural logging town, Jade never fit the roles and stereotypes expected of her by her community. She struggled with mental health and feelings of not belonging throughout her teens and young adulthood—despite all appearances suggesting otherwise. Those struggles soon expanded to substance abuse, and before long, it was too much, and something needed to change.

So she did. After much soul-searching and self-reflection, Jade was able to fully realize who she was: a person committed to authenticity, compassion, and radical empathy. Her motto: “Be afraid, and do it anyway.” Beyond work, Jade spends her time coding, playing tabletop role-playing games, reading poetry (but not writing it), and moshing in the pit at death metal shows.

Christian Polteno identifies as a person thriving in long-term recovery from co-occurring challenges. He became a member of Peer Seattle in 2026. He comes to Peer Seattle with both lived and professional experience and education in substance use disorder, mental health counseling, community outreach, & housing case management. In 2005, Christian moved to Seattle for graduate school in mental health counseling. Between 2009 and 2018, Christian became licensed as a Substance Use Disorder Counselor in King County, specializing in Deferred Prosecutions & Intensive Outpatient Treatment.  In 2019, Christian successfully closed the first tiny house village project in Seattle, where he successfully housed 55 participants & paved the way for the New Workforce Services Apartment Complex that took its place. The newly built workforce building is fully occupied  & offers residents a variety of workforce services. Christian has also continued his community engagement efforts to increase access to substance use disorder treatment, engaged in community street outreach throughout King County & continues to actively engage with other social service providers in Seattle to provide community resources & referrals.