When your day-to-day life becomes less stable, finding steady work can seem like an impossible dream. So EHM developed our Peer Worker program to offer flexible employment to people dealing with health and housing issues. Recently, we spoke with Guy—one of the pillars of our Peer Worker community—to discuss its benefits for people at EHM.
For 15 years, Guy used our Drop-In program for meals and other supports. When EHM created the Peer Worker program, we realized it would be a great opportunity bring Guy on board as staff. This enabled him to build a solid foundation for his self-growth journey, providing him with meaningful work and a regular source of income.
Peer Workers do a bit of everything at EHM, helping to fill in the gaps, like providing clean towels to clients, maintaining the showers, and assisting clients with their laundry. The real value in his role is through the connections Guy makes with his peers through active listening and even mentoring. Guy is very welcoming and amazing at advocating for everyone at EHM—telling them all about the ways that our services can transform their lives.
It’s a win-win arrangement for EHM and Guy, who has been an incredible Peer Worker. Our clients also feel a stronger, safer connection when communicating with Guy, because they have a lot in common with him. His similar life experiences make him more approachable, helping people at Drop-In to feel understood and motivated to elevate their lives.
“When clients come in and get to know my story, and see me in a stable position with a job, it gives them hope that things can get better for them too,” says Guy. “Because I’m a living example of it.”