Kerstyn Lambert

Peer Support Specialist (She/Her/Hers)

Special Interests: Mental, emotional & physical abuse recovery | Grief and loss | Addiction, alcoholism & substance use recovery | Mental health | Sexual assault recovery | Formerly incarcerated/re- entry

Kerstyn was born in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, where she was raised by a single mother. Her mother had maintained absolute sobriety through a 12-step program from the time Kerstyn was 3 years of age.

Kerstyn's father left before she turned 1 year old, however, she was able to see him about 5 times a year. Kerstyn was involved in many sports in her childhood such as softball, cross country, dance team, volleyball, and karate. By the age of 16, she had earned a black belt in Martial Arts. Kerstyn went on to graduate from high school with 5 extra English and Art credits.

Becoming a retail manager at the age of 18, Kerstyn had only been to a couple of parties in high school, so, she decided to give that lifestyle a try. She fell into a life of partying where alcoholism, substance use, impulsive/criminal thinking, and sexually deviant behavior were rapidly increasing in her life.

She received a DUI at the ages of 22 and 26. By age 27, Kerstyn was misdiagnosed and put on a Chapter 51 for 6 months. At this point, she decided to stop drinking and her drug use increased. No longer able to hold down a job, she began selling drugs and ended up in and out of county jail over the next 4 years.

June 6th, 2021, is the last day she went to jail, and is also her sober date. Her mother passed shortly after of a stroke on July 24th, 2021.

Since her re-entry into the community, Kerstyn has graduated from inpatient treatment, graduated from mental health court, maintained three jobs for over a years time, and has been building back her relationship with her family. She values the importance of mental health and recovery as a whole.

When she’s not busy supporting others and working on recovery goals, you can find Kerstyn painting, riding her bike, writing poetry, and attending concerts.