Kent learned about Neil Squire from a community presentation in Calgary and joined our Working Together program in January.
Kent was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD), bipolar disorder, depression, and ADHD. He also spent many years battling addiction, which inspired him to want to help others like him 鈦犫 completing his peer support worker program in May 2021 and his addiction studies diploma last year.
When he joined the Working Together program, he was struggling with feeling stigmatized and invalid in the workforce due to his mental health. Because of these feelings and the impact of his disabilities, retaining employment has been difficult.
His goal was to use his personal experiences and his education in addiction counselling to find full-time employment. Kent wanted to find meaningful employment that would allow him to give back to his peers and find the support and acceptance he needed to be successful and grow.
During his time in Working Together, Kent worked on his resume and cover letter, online job applications, employment marketing, mock interviews, and preparation. He also explored wellness topics such as communication skills, self-care techniques, and disclosing accommodations with employers.
Kent鈥檚 dedication and passion paid off. He was offered a job at an emergency shelter, and he is now working full-time as a peer support worker in the heart of downtown Calgary.