Cheyenne doesn’t just embody the heart of the Clubhouse; she keeps it in check. This month, she celebrated 11 years as a member of the AIM Center, and if there is one thing we know, it is that Cheyenne is going to say exactly what she thinks and stand by it. She cares deeply about this community and is not shy about protecting what makes it special.
Most days during the work-ordered day, you will find Cheyenne doing what she does best, which is showing up for others. She checks in on members, supports staff, often helps with tabling events, and facilitates opportunities that strengthen our community. She is currently working toward becoming a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, or CPRS, a role that reflects who she already is.
Peer support empowers people living with behavioral health challenges to receive help from someone who has “been there.” Through lived experience, mutual respect, and personal responsibility, Tennessee’s CPRS program certifies individuals to provide direct peer-to-peer support to those navigating mental illness, substance use, or co-occurring disorders. For Cheyenne, this isn’t just a credential. It’s a calling.
“People with mental illness are often looked down on and not given the chance to advocate for themselves,” Cheyenne says. “I want to empower others and just be a peer to people who need support, any kind of recovery.”
Over the past decade, Cheyenne has seen AIM Center grow and evolve, and she takes that history seriously. She knows that Clubhouse is for members first, which is why she builds real relationships, asks thoughtful and direct questions, and has even sat in on staff interviews to help protect the integrity of this space. She holds staff accountable and stands firm in her beliefs, not to be difficult, but because she genuinely cares.
Her leadership has extended beyond the work-ordered day. From 2018 to 2019, Cheyenne served on AIM Center’s Board of Directors. It was an eye-opening experience that gave her a behind-the-scenes look at how the organization operates. She learned a great deal about governance and decision-making, and overall, she describes it as a meaningful and rewarding experience that deepened her commitment to the Clubhouse.
At the end of the day, her strong voice comes from a deep commitment to mental health recovery and to making sure every member feels seen, respected, and supported.
It is hard to imagine now, but when Cheyenne first joined, she was reclusive and rarely spoke to anyone. It took her nearly a month to get out of her shell. But after 11 years in, she’s confident, comfortable, and not afraid to speak her mind.
When asked what she wishes people understood about mental health, she did not hold back on her thoughts:
“Mental health should not be shushed. It is treated like it is taboo, and it does not need to be. It should be talked about everywhere, in all communities. It should not take months to get help, and you should not have to be in crisis to get care. If someone knows they need help, they should be able to get it.”
Cheyenne does not just believe in recovery. She lives it. And in doing so, she strengthens our Clubhouse community every single day. If you’re interested in learning more about AIM Center Clubhouse membership, click here: https://aimcenterinc.org/