Tommy and Marie came together to this interview because Marie said " Tommy don't talk much'. It is true that Marie did more of the talking but it was Tommy who was receiving employment supports so it was nice to have them both there. They are clearly partners in everything they do. The following is a summary of the story they wanted to share about their experiences with peer and employment supports
Background information provided by Marie: "In 2013 I lost everything to a house fire. I had lost my first husband. Me and him (Tommy) met at church and soon afterwards, began a relationship. "I told Tommy, I said, "I've got to have a change. I'm not telling you you got to go with me." I said, "I'm moving to Washington. I've got to have a change because just all the memories in the house we were living in and it just all is just overwhelming." So he said, "I'm going with you." So here we come. We come up--"
Housing: "We started staying with my sister and it was so hard to find a place on our income. It was rough. We slept on the basement floor, between the washing machine and dryer. Then we get married and they cut his check.
Peer counselor support: "He began to come up here because he began to have issues because he had nothing to do and Erica [peer counselor] helped--She's a sweetheart. She's my lifesaver at times. And so she helped get him a job at the fairground". According to Marie, Tommy lost the job at the fairgrounds ( anxiousness played into it) although Erica had been trying to work out supports for him. Ultimately, "Erica finally helped him ring this job at Walmart's and he has been doing fabulous". Angela- a counselor who also helped him with strategies to open up. Marie and Tommy describe Angela as an 'excellent worker".
Tommy and Marie's reflection on employment support: "She'll [Erica] come and check on me. She comes and checks on me on my job. She helps me does my Pathways and all". Asked about the pathways term, Tommy and Marie explained that since getting into new housing, a house of their own, they have been having Sunday dinners with their blended families every week after church. However, Tommy wasn't able to join them because he didn't know how to request a specific schedule on the computer. Upon learning this, Erica taught Tommy how to use computer program to advocate for different hours so he can go to church and have a family dinner at least every other Sunday.
Employment benefits: Tommy now works 40 hours a week in maintenance and received benefits. Marie says that Tommy is described as one of the 'best workers they have' at Walmart. Members of the church have given them a car so now they have some transportation options.