1499 Queen Street West, Suite 203 Toronto, Ontario M6R 1A3

Background Working for Change, formerly The Ontario Council of Alternative Businesses OCAB, was developed in 1993 out of a growing need for employment opportunities for members of the psychiatric consumer/survivor community.

Working for Change We operate 5 Social Enterprises that employ individuals who have experienced marginalization due to poverty and mental health histories. Out of This World Cafe & Grill College & Russell Cafes The Raging Spoon Catering Company Parkdale GreenThumb Enterprises Grassroots Research

Leadership Training In 2005 we started a speakers bureau to train individuals who had direct experience with homelessness, poverty, and/or mental health issues to become educators in the community.

Leadership Training Qualification expanded to individuals marginalized by poverty, homelessness, mental health and addiction issues, violence, gender, immigration and LGBTQ issues. Voices from the Street Women Speak Out En Route to Employment

Voices from the Street Core Sessions includes How to shape your story– Pat Capponi Leadership Conflict Resolution Policy How government works How to talk to the media

Voices from the Street

Anti-oppression – LGBTQ: terminology and global history – Newcomers – Aboriginal Competency – Gender – Disability

Voice from the Street

Anti-oppression Brings together an understanding of the way in which different identities and experiences relate in an attempt to eradicate oppression in all forms. Anti-oppression practice attempts to shed light on power imbalances with a focus on acknowledging them and getting rid of them. Applying critical learning and thinking

Women Speak Out Moving Forward-Pat Capponi Women’s health Relationships and violence Women’s issues – Misogyny – Femicide – Honor killings – Women & homelessness – Female infanticide

Women Speak Out

Boards & Committees During the 12 weeks they find their passion and once completed connect with boards or committees where they can advice from their experience

Peer Support Pre-employment Making the Leap: from survivor to provider – Facing fears – Self-sabotage – Confidentiality – Boundaries – Disclosure Wellness Asset mapping Workplace etiquette Resume writing

Peer Support Pre-employment Interviewing skills Customer Service CPR (Red Cross) Accessibility Ontario Disability Act (Legislation) Health and Safety (Legislation) Like Minds (Peer Support certificate) Crisis Intervention (Gerstein certificate) Drop-in Centre Best Practices ( certificate)

Peer Workers

PeerZone is a series of three hour peer led workshops in mental health and addiction where people explore recovery and whole of life wellbeing. – Finding and keeping work – Optimizing our income – Understanding trauma

Lived Experience Facilitators have lived experience of the topics they are presenting

Lived Experience As they listen to life stories, see the strengths that allowed others to survive participants focus on their peers—the me-to- we transformation learn they have the capacity to effect change.

Value of Mobilizing Communities Participants moved out of the world of Money Marts, homeless drop-ins, food banks and some of Toronto’s worst housing into a new world where they are empowered, drive cars, buy condos and raise the children they’ve won back from the Children’s Aid Society. Graduates from all leadership programs become ambassadors for their neighbours and peers, influencing public policy and changing how services are delivered.

Peer Roles Peer educators providing education from a lived experience perspective for other peers, mental health workers or community members Peer advocates empowering individuals or groups of marginalized people to advocate for their rights Peer advisors work in partnership with mental health service providers to give consumer perspectives at all levels of planning, implementation and evaluation, and provide feedback to service users

Peer Roles Peer researchers and evaluators conduct community based research and are able to relate to the individuals being surveyed Peer navigators assist people to find, choose and gain access to a full range of community resources, networks and services Peer support workers provide support for personal and social recovery to people with mental health and addictions issues

Value of Mobilizing Communities To the members Sense of achievement Self development and personal growth Develop leadership and social skills and values, such as problem solving, communication, organization, and responsibility to society Expand your circle of friends Networking

Value of Mobilizing Communities To the organization Involved and informed members and staff Resources to address issues and concerns Joint partnerships, initiatives and collaboration between members, staff and agencies

Value of Mobilizing Communities To the Community Education on issues related to poverty & mental health Policy change Connection to community members

Collaborations

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