Consumer Voices Are Born (CVAB) is a consumer-run organization providing support and advocacy for mental health recovery. As a person-centered, recovery-oriented supportive community, we are committed to enhancing self-determination. CVAB is your resource for wellness and recovery through scheduled activities and accessible peer support.

CVAB operates a mental health Recovery Center and Warm Line. At the heart of our community is peer to peer support.

As a complement to the Clark County, Washington mental health and crisis system, CVAB services are offered to anyone who enters free of pressure, hassles and time limits. It is also free of charge.

CVAB recognizes each person’s unlimited potential and encourages self-determination through respect, support, meaningful choices and understanding. People come to CVAB and build confidence, self-esteem, self-worth and are more aware of their personal recovery. We hope you discover CVAB to be a community of hope.

CVAB introduces The CVAB Online Community Blog.  
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Your Resource for Wellness and Recovery

CVAB Self-Help Recovery Center Hours

9 AM–7 PM
Monday through Saturday
360-397-8050

CVAB Warm Line Hours

5 PM - 10 PM
Sunday through Saturday
360-750-2012 or
360-750-2014

Check out the “CVAB News” tab for the latest!

What is a CVAB?

CVAB is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization operating a mental health Self-Help Recovery Center and Warm Line.

CVAB’s primary mission is to serve our peers, people who face challenges to mental health, have been diagnosed with a mental illness or psychiatric disability.  CVAB is open to anyone wanting to participate in our community.

Through CVAB’s Center, we offer peer support, peer-led social events and activities, support groups, employment support, trainings and Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP). We also offer free access to computers, computer classes and a variety of volunteer opportunities. CVAB’s Recovery Center is a safe and sober environment.  Our Center serves over 400 persons per month, averaging over 1200 visits a month.

CVAB also operates the Warm Line for people simply to talk and de-escalate. Local consumers can call simply to talk, or to focus on problems that, while not severe, could potentially escalate through lack of attention or support. CVAB’s Warm Line is a peer to peer phone support and resource for persons with mental illness and a complement to the mental health and crisis system. 

CVAB’s Vision

CVAB’s Leadership Team

We hope you find in these pages and when visiting our Center or talking with us on the Warm Line that we are interested in you and your interest.

Answers to FAQ

What is a CVAB?
The Home Version

The CVAB Community

CVAB operates a safe and sober mental health Self-Help Recovery Center.  The CVAB Center is open to anyone wanting to experience a recovery-oriented supported community.  You will be warmly welcomed as you enter into our safe environment and you can depend on a secure familiarity each time you return. Upon entering CVAB you will be warmly greeted by our volunteers and staff; you then are given about a 20 minute orientation. You will find that we offer self-help classes, recovery groups, a variety of trainings, access to computers, volunteer opportunities, social activities and much more.

Though familiar, there is a diversity of people and activity each time you come back so it doesn’t get old. Each day at CVAB offers a new day to explore your recovery and continue your journey towards being the person you are meant to be.  We think the best way to discover what CVAB is like and can be for you is to spend time with us. Check out our calendar and The Voice for the schedule or better yet, stop  by to get started.

The CVAB Community Gathering

One of the most important things we do is gather on the third Monday of the month as a community. This regular gathering is a time for us to share our journeys of recovery, honor our loyal volunteers, catch up on what is going on around CVAB and here from you in our casual “town hall” discussion. We also take the time to celebrate birthdays.

CVAB Center Hours:
9 AM-7 PM,
Monday-Saturday

Activities at The Center

Locating The Center

The CVAB Warm Line

There are times when you just need to talk to someone, to let off some steam, or sort through your day. We listen and offer reassurance that you have been heard and things will be OK.  When you call us you are talking to a peer, not a professional. We have some understanding of what you are feeling and take the time to listen to what you have to say.

We are not a Crisis Line, we are the call you make when you feel you need to talk to someone to get through the rough point in your day, week or month.   You are our top priority and our goal is to help you safely through your day.

To talk with one of our Warm Line team:

• You will first contact a pager
• Be required to enter a number for them to call.
• A Warm Line volunteer will call you back within minutes.
• And if you don’t get a call in about 15 minutes, try again or the other pager (we may be on another call).

The Warm Line volunteer you are speaking with is:

• Carefully listening to you
• Being kind and nonjudgmental
• Willing to help you find answers
• Keeping your information confidential

Warm Line Hours and Numbers

5 PM-10 PM: 7 days a week

360-750-2012 or 360-750-2014

Peer Volunteers

We didn’t learn about mental health through books alone, we are living it. Warm Line Volunteers also go through extensive training in active listening, strength based support and resource development. This unique combination of life and training makes a big difference for you.

You too can be a Warm Line team member. Contact our Warm Line Coordinator to find out how (360-397-8050).

At CVAB, we want to provide good and proven resources in many areas. We have learned it is difficult to keep up with them so we’ll be continually adding to this section as we discover helpful information and websites. Of course, at the bottom of every page on CVABonline.com you will find Google search.

You will find links to some helpful information on this page and more on the linked Resource Page.

More & More Resources

CVAB administers Consumer and Family Scholarships for Clark County. These scholarships are available for to help offset cost, in part or full, for conferences and training’s that will benefit individuals, families and our community.

Please complete one application per person.

Please submit your application no less than 30 days prior to the event. Submitting a thoroughly completed application as early as possible will help the entire process.

The applications are reviewed and final determinations are made by a panel representing CVAB and Clark County .

You will be notified of the panel’s determination of full amount, partial amount or denial and have the process explained. The panel’s determination is final.

Each qualified applicant is eligible to receive one scholarship annually.

If interested in a particular conference, obtain and complete a conference registration form and submit it along with a Training Scholarship Application (link above) to CVAB.

Training Scholarship Application (Word)

Training Scholarship Application (Pdf)

Clark County Training Scholarship Policy

Unfortunately, scholarships are not available to everyone.  Training Scholarships are intended for  individuals, advocates and family members who need financial support to attend events and are not using the funds to supplement or support training for their current employment.  For those who are employed, we recommend checking with your employer for training funds.

2009 WA Behavioral Health Conference

CVAB’s Leadership Team is a combination of paid and volunteer participants. Currently, there are four teams that work together to fulfill the vision of CVAB: the Board of Directors, Members Advisory Council (MAC); Warm Line and Recovery Center Volunteers; and the Staff.

The overwhelming majority of CVAB’s leadership is persons self-disclosing they have mental illness. Each one, no matter the role, declares he or she will support CVAB’s purpose, strategies and values. Each role is vitally important to CVAB.

You can contact us by phone at 360-397-8050 or specific staff through email. If you are seeking general information or want to contact the Board, please do so through the Executive Director.

CVAB Staff
Brad Berry, Executive Director
Ext. 7617 berryb@cvab.org
Cathy Bowen, Community & Peer Support
Ext. 7619 bowenc@cvab.org
Angela Dummann, Community & Peer Support
Ext. 7618 dummanna@cvab.org
Lori Ramage, Community & Peer Support
Ext. 7622 ramagel@cvab.org
Cindy Falter, Employment Support Specialist
Ext. 7621 falterc@cvab.org
Stacy Dunn, Administrative Assistant
Ext. 7616 dunns@cvab.org

More about CVAB Leaders

Finding CVAB

The Calendar and The Voice keep you current with CVAB.  We also intend to give you the latest on this page when something breaks that didn’t make it to the calendar. 

When you read The Voice you are hearing the many voices of CVAB. We invite members of our community to create, to write, to express themselves. Have you “heard” what they have been saying? You can as you read The Voice, CVAB’s monthly newsletter.

This Just In....

New Groups Beginning

Men’s Support Group on Saturdays; Walking Group on Mondays; Diabetic Support Group on Tuesdays; Re-WRAP on Tuesdays; Weight Loss Group on Thursdays

Computer Classes Beginning

CVAB now has 4 different computer classes.  Look to the calendar for details.

Community Gathering

CVAB version of a town hall meeting is the third Monday of every month.

Current CVAB Calendar

Current Issue of The Voice

Archive Issues of The Voice

CVAB Receives Evaluation Mini-Grant!
CVAB will be evaluating it’s effectiveness  thanks to an Evaluation Mini-Grant of $11,500 awarded by the Washington Institute for Mental Health Research & Training in partnership with The Washington State Mental Health Transformation Project.

CVAB introduces
The CVAB Online Community Blog.  
Join the conversation.....