Host: Welcome to Independence Perspective, a public affairs presentation of Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL). Our guest today is Veronica Thompson, a Peer Bridger and Peer Advocate Trainer with Housing Options Made Easy, and your host is yours truly Ernie Churchwell. Welcome to the program, Veronica.
Guest: Thanks.
Host: And we're pleased to have you with us. You’re here because you facilitate a discussion group that takes place at WNYIL called Work in Progress. Could you tell us who this is aimed at assisting?
Guest: Sure, so our group is called Work in Progress, and it is a vocational skills building group to help support folks in recovery in rejoining the volunteer and workforce. It is specifically designed to support folks in recovery from mental illness, but it's also open to the public and anybody who wants and needs help building soft skills.
Host: So you actually have a very wide potential audience that could benefit from Work in Progress. Could you tell us some of the things that they could look forward to if they attend?
Guest: So we work on things like communication files and skills, and how to work with others, how to stay organized, problem solving. We also help people learn to advocate for themselves. So if you have like a specific diagnosis, that maybe gets in the way of working or volunteering, we can coach you through how to talk with your employer, or volunteer organizer about how to work with you with that situation. We've already covered a couple sessions, we have a total of eight sessions. So every session is different, and our upcoming ones are preparing for an interview is the next one. And then we are going to go to a job fair together. And then there's a volunteer day, and then in November we have a guest speaker from ACCES-VR (Vocational Rehabilitation) who's going to come and talk to us about vocational rehabilitation services.
Host: And oh, before we go any farther, for people that don't know what is ACCES-VR?
Guest: ACCES-VR is a specific organization that works with people with mental health diagnosis and helps them access resources to assist them in getting back to school, or the work field. I'm not actually sure 100% what ACCES-VR is but I'm really excited to learn about it on November 5th.
Host: Alright, I believe it's Adult Career & Continuing Education Services, some kind of services, sorry I don't have that off the tip of my head myself and VR is Vocational Rehabilitation.
Guest: Right, exactly.
Host: Alright and what are some of the other topics that are in the offing?
Guest: I guess, identifying goals, identifying your work qualities, finding jobs that fit you and your schedule, time management, finding a job that really suits you.
Host: Is there a particular day of the month that this meets or is it more often than that?
Guest: It's every other Tuesday. And so we just finished one on September 10, so our next one is September 24, and then it will go on every other week from there.
Host: Terrific, is there a need to pre register before one attends?
Guest: No. However, the October 8 one we are meeting at a job fair. So that's the only one that won’t be held at the Independent Living Center, but the job fair is at the Buffalo Grand Hotel, 120 Church Street, Buffalo. So, if you plan on going that day just show up at the job fair.
Host: Sounds exciting .Oh and what time is the regular meeting, and if you could give the address where it meets?
Guest: It’s from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at its at the Western New York Living Center, 3108, Main Street in Buffalo.
Host: I'm sure that they're going to be some people would like to have questions answered before coming in. Could you give a number where people can reach you?
Guest: My number is 716-225-9245.
Host: Well, it sounds like this is an exciting opportunity for a number of people with and without disabilities to hone themselves for employment, and we thank you for what you're doing and for being with us today.
Guest: Thank you so much.
Host: You've been listening to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of WNYIL. Our guest today was is Veronica Thompson, Peer Bridger and Peer Advocate Trainer with Housing Options Made Easy, and your host is yours truly Ernie Churchwell.