Lester E. D. Cook
Bronx,NY
Summary
Accomplished Peer Specialist and Program Director with 15+ years of experience advancing mental health advocacy, disability rights, and community-based support. Founder and leader of a peer-run nonprofit that has empowered over 1,000 individuals through education on housing, service animals, and self-advocacy. Proven ability to lead statewide initiatives, deliver high-impact trainings, and support crisis intervention efforts in both clinical and outreach settings. A dynamic public speaker, published researcher, and skilled collaborator, known for translating lived experience into strategic leadership and measurable community impact.
Overview
42
42
years of professional experience
Work History
CEO & President
Dreamweaver's Peer Support
12.2005 - Current
- Founded and lead a peer-run organization committed to empowering individuals with psychiatric disabilities through education, advocacy, and peer support.
- Developed and implemented community-based programs focused on housing rights and responsibilities, service animal accommodations, and parental advocacy.
- Championed a self-advocacy model that equips peers with the tools and knowledge to navigate systems, assert their rights, and lead independent, dignified lives.
Baseball Umpire & Football Official
Public School Athletics League
05.1983 - Current
- Ensured player and coach safety by consistently enforcing rules with fairness and integrity across varying levels of play, from amateur to professional.
- Maintained clear, respectful communication with coaches and players, effectively resolving on-field conflicts within the structure of the game.
- Educated coaches and players on game techniques and rule applications to support their growth and help them achieve performance goals.
Board of Directors / Ethics Committee
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Contributed to the development and implementation of professional standards for New York State Peer Specialists within public mental health facilities.
- Collaborated with key stakeholders to ensure alignment with state guidelines and best practices in mental health peer support.
- Supported the elevation of peer specialist roles through advocacy, training frameworks, and ethical practice standards across public institutions.
Peer Counselor
Parachute
07.2013 - 09.2013
- Served as a Peer Counselor on the Mobile Crisis Team, providing direct outreach, community engagement, and crisis intervention services to individuals in acute emotional distress.
- Promoted recovery-oriented approaches by supporting alternatives to the traditional bio-medical model, with a focus on empowerment, lived experience, and holistic care.
- Specialized in assisting individuals experiencing First Episodes of Altered States, offering compassionate, peer-led support rooted in trauma-informed and person-centered principles.
Peer Advocate
Goodwill Peer Leadership Program
10.2007 - 11.2007
- Facilitated group sessions within an outpatient program, focusing on wellness education and self-management strategies to support individuals in their recovery journey.
- Promoted balanced and shared decision-making by encouraging participants to actively engage in their treatment planning and personal goal setting.
- Fostered a supportive group environment that empowered individuals to build resilience, develop coping skills, and enhance overall well-being.
Chairman – Housing Sub-Committee
NYS-OMH Recipient's Advisory Committee
09.2005 - 12.2006
- Facilitates and leads quarterly Housing Sub-Committee meetings at the RAC, ensuring productive discussions and clear action steps aligned with organizational goals.
- Encourages innovative thinking among committee members by fostering a collaborative environment that balances real-world housing challenges with visionary, ideal-world solutions.
- Provides strategic guidance and coordination of volunteer efforts to drive impactful housing initiatives that reflect both community needs and long-term aspirations.
Generalist
Services to the Underserved
05.2003 - 10.2003
- Provided comprehensive peer counseling and advocacy services, supporting clients in accessing employment, educational opportunities, housing resources, and recreational programs.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop individualized support plans, ensuring client needs were met across multiple life domains.
- Facilitated community outreach and resource navigation, empowering individuals to achieve greater independence and improve overall quality of life.
Intern to the Director of Recipient Affairs
New York State Office of Mental Health
01.2002 - 05.2002
- Acted as a peer advocate, supporting individuals with lived experience by providing guidance, encouragement, and resources to help navigate mental health services.
- Contributed to specialty housing and research initiatives, including projects in collaboration with Project Return, focusing on improving service delivery and recipient outcomes.
- Worked closely with the Director of Recipient Affairs to gain hands-on experience and insight into the Office of Mental Health (OMH) functions, policies, and recipient-centered approaches.
Assistant Site Director
Multi-Talents, Inc.
08.1999 - 06.2000
- Supported the Site Director in overseeing daily site operations to ensure smooth and efficient facility management.
- Mediated and resolved conflicts between tenants, as well as between tenants and staff, fostering a respectful and cooperative community environment.
- Identified maintenance issues and code violations, promptly notifying the appropriate personnel to ensure timely repairs and compliance with regulations.
Education
Master of Arts - Disability Studies
CUNY – School of Professional Studies
Manhattan, New York01.2023
Bachelor of Arts - Dual Major in U.S. History & Theatre Arts
CUNY – City College
Manhattan, New York05.2021
Associates of Arts - Liberal Arts
Kingsborough Community College
Brooklyn, New York05.2017
The Field School for Social Science Research -
The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research
Manhattan, New York06.2012
Certified Benefits Training -
New York Makes Work Pay
Manhattan, New York09.2008
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training -
LivingWorks Education, Inc.
The Bronx, New York02.2008
Intentional Peer Support -
Mental Health Empowerment Project, Inc.
Albany, New York01.2008
Certified White Paper Presenter -
Train the Trainer
Albany, New York05.2005
OMH Peer Advocate -
NYWRAC
Westchester, New York05.2002
Peer Specialist -
Howie T. Harp
New York, New York06.2001
Skills
- Peer Advocacy
- Conflict Resolution
- Strategic Leadership
- Collaborative Teamwork
- Effective Communication
- Research & Writing
- Public Speaking & Training
- Peer Counseling & Advocacy
- Theatrical & Performance Arts
- Program Development & Oversight
Film Experience
- The Hustle: Follow…Lead…Love, Performer, Trān-sēnd'Dæns, LLC, Brian Rubiano, 2017
- On Christopher Street: Transgender Stories, Featured Participant, Mark Seliger, Frankie Mark, 2018
Documentary Experience
- (de)Voiced: Human Rights Now, Featured Contributor, Dr. Lauren Tenney, CUNY Graduate Center, 2006, Participated in a research-based documentary exploring human rights and the psychiatric survivor movement.
- Playing With Dolls, Featured Participant, Kei Pearlin Martin, 2023, Contributed lived experience and narrative voice to a documentary examining identity, resilience, and disability rights.
Interview Experience
"Blessed Women Singing", Sara Wallace, ABC News, 1998
Playwriting Experience
- Ercolé & Megara: A Couple's Journey (Staged Reading), Playwright & Lead Actor, Crossways Theater, 2018
- Ercolé & Megara: A Couple's Journey (Staged Reading), Playwright & Lead Actor, Fresh Fruit Festival, 2024
Theatre Experience
- The Crucible, Ezekiel Cheever, City College Theatre, Fall 2017
- American Buffalo, Donny Durbow, City College Theatre, Fall 2017
- Into The Woods, Narrator & The Mysterious Man, City College Theatre, Fall 2018
- Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown, Chief Inspector, City College Theatre, Spring 2018
- A Doll's House, Torvald Helmer, City College Theatre, Spring 2018
- Lovers and Other Strangers, Johnny, City College Theatre, Spring 2018
- Marat Sade, Jean-Paul Marat, City College Theatre, Fall 2018
- Down the Road, Dan Henniman, City College Theatre, Spring 2019
Awards
- Outstanding Performance in a Special Event, Teresa Fischer as Megara, Ercolé & Megara: A Couple's Journey (Staged Reading), Fresh Fruit Festival, 2024
- Cum Laude, Bachelor of Arts, CUNY – School of Professional Studies, Spring 2021
- With Honors, Associate of Liberal Arts, Kingsborough Community College, June 2017
- Dean's List, Associate of Liberal Arts, Kingsborough Community College
- Fall 2015
- Spring 2016
- Spring 2017
- Dean's List, Bachelor of Arts in History & Theatre, CUNY – City College, Spring 2020
- Round of Applause Award, Dept. of Theatre & Speech, CUNY – City College, May 2018
- Certificate of Achievement in Research Methods, The Field School, The Center to Study Recovery in Social Contexts, June 2012
Publications
- "Two Paradigms of Behavioural Health", Lester E. D. Cook, Kingsborough Honors Journal, 13(1), 2017
- On Christopher Street: Transgender Stories, Mark Seliger, Rizzoli International Publications, 2016
- Trans New York, Peter Bussain, Apollo Publishing, 2020
Presentations
- Social Security Benefits Training, Lester E. D. Cook, Peer Specialist Conference, 2002
- Social Security Benefits Training, Lester E. D. Cook, Visiting Instructor, NYWRAC, 2002 - 2007
- Creating Capabilities: Report on The Field School, Lester E. D. Cook, Dr. Christina Pratt, Ph.D., NYAPRS, 2010
- Creating Capabilities: Report on The Field School, Lester E. D. Cook
Timeline
Peer Counselor
Parachute
07.2013 - 09.2013
Board of Directors / Ethics Committee
01.2012 - 01.2014
Peer Advocate
Goodwill Peer Leadership Program
10.2007 - 11.2007
CEO & President
Dreamweaver's Peer Support
12.2005 - Current
Chairman – Housing Sub-Committee
NYS-OMH Recipient's Advisory Committee
09.2005 - 12.2006
Generalist
Services to the Underserved
05.2003 - 10.2003
Intern to the Director of Recipient Affairs
New York State Office of Mental Health
01.2002 - 05.2002
Assistant Site Director
Multi-Talents, Inc.
08.1999 - 06.2000
Baseball Umpire & Football Official
Public School Athletics League
05.1983 - Current
Bachelor of Arts - Dual Major in U.S. History & Theatre Arts
CUNY – City College
Associates of Arts - Liberal Arts
Kingsborough Community College
The Field School for Social Science Research -
The Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research
Certified Benefits Training -
New York Makes Work Pay
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training -
LivingWorks Education, Inc.
Intentional Peer Support -
Mental Health Empowerment Project, Inc.
Certified White Paper Presenter -
Train the Trainer
OMH Peer Advocate -
NYWRAC
Peer Specialist -
Howie T. Harp
Master of Arts - Disability Studies
CUNY – School of Professional Studies
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