GRATEFUL CLIENTS NOMINATE CAMINAR SAN MATEO EMPLOYEE FOR HOUSING HERO AWARD

September, 2011

On September 28, Adriana Der, case manager in Caminar’s New Ventures Program, was honored as a Housing Hero at the San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services’ 4th Annual Housing Hero awards ceremony. The event is designed to recognize community partners that have demonstrated exceptional leadership and service in providing and/or assisting individuals with mental health and substance abuse disorders in maintaining affordable and permanent housing in San Mateo County. This is the fourth consecutive year that a Caminar employee has received this important recognition.

Adriana was nominated for the award by four of her grateful clients in New Ventures who expressed their appreciation for her efforts in helping them obtain safe, affordable, and permanent housing. New Ventures provides case management services that are designed to support clients to live with dignity and independence in our community.

Jerry Hill is one of Adriana’s clients who spoke of her impact on his life. Jerry had been struggling for years with alcohol and drug addiction and untreated major depressive episodes that resulted in periods of homelessness, shelter living, unemployment, and hopelessness. While Jerry was being treated for his addiction, he learned of Caminar’s supported education program at the College of San Mateo. On top of his regular classes, Jerry enrolled in the peer counseling program. He also discovered a talent and passion for photography through one of his elective courses. Caminar staff at the college became a mainstay of his support system; however, permanent and affordable housing eluded him – residency in drug treatment housing, shelters, and room rentals were the norm – until he was referred to Caminar’s New Ventures program.

Jerry states, “Before New Ventures I was worried about my future, my relationships, work, and where I was going to live. I was homeless and living in a shelter. New Ventures got involved and worked very hard to get me in a beautiful one bedroom apartment at Colma Ridge, the first stable and permanent housing I’ve ever lived in.”

Jerry’s story illustrates the importance of stable, affordable housing as a necessary component of recovery. He earned his peer counseling certificate and was hired by Caminar as an instructional assistant in the Transition to College Program. While he is no longer a Caminar employee, he continues to pursue his passion for photography and he is at most Caminar events taking photos.

At Colma Ridge he volunteers to facilitate Healthy Living groups; teaches photography in the Photo Club; and even organizes a monthly potluck for other tenants. He has developed a strong social support system and has reunited with members of his family. Most importantly, Jerry was recently married and now lives with his wife in the Colma Ridge apartment. Jerry is very proud of his apartment and readily offers to show others how focusing on recovery goals results in a meaningful life.

Jerry acknowledges the importance of Adriana in helping him to stay on track. “Thanks to Caminar, I am nine years clean and sober and I believe that anything is possible!”