Family United Network (FUN) has launched Peer Help United Network (PHUN), a first-of-its-kind family and peer-run behavioral health organization serving Luzerne and Wyoming counties. The project addresses a critical shortage of behavioral health professionals by expanding access to services delivered by trained individuals with lived experience. Research has shown that peer support can lead to improved mental health outcomes, increased engagement in services, and greater empowerment for individuals and families navigating behavioral health challenges.
PHUN is one of the first of its kind in Pennsylvania, built on a model that places peers and family peers at the center of service delivery and organizational leadership. Through Family Peer Support Specialist and Certified Peer Specialist services, the organization provides one-on-one support, advocacy, resource navigation, and recovery-focused guidance for youth, young adults, and families. The organization also offers community education programs, including evidence-based parenting education and mental health awareness training, helping families build resilience and access support before challenges escalate into crises.
By investing in this innovative approach, AllOne Charities is helping to strengthen the behavioral health workforce while creating new pathways for individuals and families to access compassionate, community-based support. PHUN’s peer-led model recognizes the value of lived experience and positions Northeastern Pennsylvania as a leader in advancing recovery, empowerment, and family-centered behavioral health services.
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