The Peer Counseling Training Program 2010 Graduates.
The Peer Counseling Training Program (PCTP) which began in January 2009, aims to address two issues – continuing to provide competitive employment opportunities to our consumers, and finding suitable qualified Peer Counselors to work at our programs. The PCTP has proved a huge success, and at this year’s Annual Gala, held on June 9th, we asked our guests to fund the Peer Counseling class of 2011. We are happy to announce that thanks to the extreme generosity of a number of individuals, we raised enough money to ensure that there will be a PCTP Class of 2011.
The power of having a person who has been there, gone through some of the same challenges and succeeded is immeasurable. Peer Counselors act not only as a role model but as an advocate. In the past, Peer Counselor positions had a high turnover rate and were unsuccessful as an integral part of the staff team. This all changed with the introduction of the SUS Peer Counseling Training Program. The Peer Counseling Training Program establishes the recovery power of giving back by demonstrating a multiplier-effect upon the lives of others still struggling to manage mental illness and achieve self-fulfillment.
It is well documented that employment is a fundamental part of the recovery process. Graduates achieve a 60% placement rate and a 64% job retention rate as Peer Counselors. Work is an important element to their identity. It provides a source of self-worth and well being.
The Peer Counseling graduating class of 2010 were previously homeless and diagnosed with a mental illness. Many have recent histories of incarceration and substance use. The Peer Counseling Training Program is an extremely inspiring and successful project. Many of the consumers involved experienced much difficulty with their own recovery process. They have now begun to accept the challenges that the recovery process brings: accountability, transparency, commitment and patience.
Congratulations to the Graduating class of 2010, and good luck to the incoming class of 2011!