From Community Action to Social Revolution: Our Journey (1.5 CEs)

Overview

Join Mike Tyson, Certified Peer Recovery Specialist and founder of Take Action Today, for a dynamic presentation exploring the evolution of grassroots organizations in addressing social challenges. With his extensive background in psychology and social work, Mike will share his insights on transforming a small-town initiative into a statewide leader in recovery support services. This interactive session will highlight innovative community-oriented approaches, effective not-for-profit development, and the power of peer-run organizations. Whether you're a student or a professional in social work, this presentation will equip you with practical tools and strategies to empower rural communities and create meaningful change. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from an inspiring leader dedicated to advancing recovery and social justice!

Objectives

1. Understanding Grassroots Organization Development: Participants will learn key strategies that facilitated the transformation of Take Action Today into a statewide leader, allowing them to implement community-oriented approaches in their practice to tackle complex social challenges.
2. Innovative Models of Peer Support: Attendees will explore the role of peer-run organizations in enhancing recovery support services, equipping social workers to incorporate peer support principles into their clinical practice, and fostering resilience among clients.
3. Evidence-Based Rural Community Engagement: Participants will discover effective not-for-profit development strategies tailored to rural settings, enhancing their ability to design and execute culturally competent and accessible interventions for underserved populations.

Registration and CE Information

• Register here for the CE version and earn 1.5 CEs on completion of the post-webinar quiz
• This listing is for those wanting CEs for LCSW/LSW and LCPC/LPC licenses.
• Please see the non-ce version if you do not need CEs
• The live webinar will be held August 29, 2025, from 12:00pm - 1:30pm
• Once registered, you will be able to access the course site to complete the Zoom registration to receive the link for the webinar.

Presenter: Mike Tyson

Mike Tyson is a person in long-term recovery and a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist. He is a founding board member of Take Action Today, a faith-based Recovery Community Organization in Southern Illinois, and a founding member of the Southern Illinois Recovery Network. As the Regional Capacity Developer for the Southern Illinois Resource and Advocacy Center, Mike collaborates with grassroots organizations and local stakeholders to enhance peer-based support services and not-for-profit infrastructure. Nationally, he serves as the Executive Director of the National Peer Recovery Alliance, where he strengthens and empowers peer support specialists nationwide. He is also a board member of the Illinois Certification Board.

A convicted felon with limited education, Mike spent over a decade in the underground coal mining industry before enrolling in college at the age of forty-two. In 2022, he graduated Magna Cum Laude from Purdue University Global with a BS in Psychology in Addictions and completed his MSW with a concentration in Leadership and Social Change in 2025. This blend of lived experience and education enables him to impact various systems affecting individuals facing chronic substance use, mental health challenges, and homelessness.

Mike resides in rural Southern Illinois with his wife, their two adult children, and an exuberant Goldendoodle named “Champ.”