By: Daniel Lopez
My name is Daniel Lopez. I am twenty-six years old and I would like to share my self-advocacy story with you. I am currently enrolled in the Coast Mental Health Temporary Employment Program. Becoming enrolled involved me advocating for myself to be included in the program. I also had the help of my support worker and my mental health team.
There are steps to take when you go through the program. The first step is I have to attend several outings from the Coast Mental Health Clubhouse, which I am currently doing. The next step will involve me doing light cleaning duties for six weeks this summer. The last step after that will be taking street cleaning training and finally I’ll have paid employment doing street cleaning.
I am super happy about this as it will help me and my family have more spending money. The biggest challenge that I feel I have had to overcome has been getting up early and making sure I go to the scheduled events at the clubhouse.
I have also been meeting some great people at the coast outings. This has been very important for me because I would like to have more social interaction with people. Plus it gives me more employment training.
Another great thing about the program I am attending is that sometimes we get free food which really helps our family’s budget.
Thank you so much for reading my story.
