Kaeden Watford (He/Him) is the Peer Specialist Workforce Development Coordinator for the Wisconsin Peer Specialist Employment Initiative (WIPSEI). He is a black trans man, son, dad, partner, and friend. Passionate about harm reduction, community, and healing he became a Certified Peer Specialist in January of 2023, and a Certified Peer Specialist Trainer in October of 2023. After joining the peer support community he found his pathway to community healing, and learned to create space to walk alongside others in their journey to meaningful living.
Kaeden previously gave direct support in his community while working for Safe Communities, where he offered peer support to folks that were struggling with substance use and different mental health experiences. He still works with OutReach LGBTQIA+ Community Center in Madison, Wisconsin as the Opioid Overdose Prevention Specialist, where he offers harm reduction supplies, narcan trainings, and peer support. In May of 2023 Kaeden became a trained Doula in the hopes of being able to support and advocate alongside birthing folks that share his trans identity through their journey. He also became a Alternatives to Suicide Facilitator in May of 2023 where he could use his lived experience with thoughts of suicide to hold space for others with similar struggles.
Kaeden’s lived experience with substance use and mental health makes him uniquely qualified. Intentionality, vulnerability, advocacy, and compassion are values that he keeps centered wherever his path has taken him. With these values held centered in his heart he is able to stay curious and willing to be with people wherever they are at. Believing that people are inherently worthy and deserving he is able to empower folks to be self-determined and autonomous in their own lives.
