Meaningful Roles
Supported employment and supported education are evidence-based treatment tools that provide our persons served with Meaningful Roles. This Foundational Tool is the key to de-institutionalization and helps create avenues for persons served to experience successful integration back into the community.
In 2000, Crestwood created Dreamcatchers Empowerment Network (DEN), a not-for-profit organization that serves as a dedicated employment avenue, designed to assist people with disabilities. Through DEN and other skills training programs, supported employment and supported education are promoted in all of Crestwood’s behavioral health services. Our Dreamcatchers program strives to empower persons served with meaningful roles, by providing onsite and offsite employment opportunities that help them grow professionally, build up their self-esteem, and establish a sense of hope and a purpose for their future.
Crestwood’s partnership with Dreamcatchers Empowerment Network has provided the people we serve with rich professional development experiences, by employing them at all levels of service on our campuses, as well as helping them obtain competitive employment in the community. In collaboration with DEN, Crestwood has expanded our supported education services to include adult education at almost all of our locations. With DEN's support, Crestwood has also been able to provide persons served with the resources and assistance they need to enroll in college courses and complete certificate programs through the California community college system.
Here are a few inspiring stories from persons served who discuss how Dreamcatchers Empowerment Network has changed their lives:
“I’m a former client now living out my dream as a husband, father, and worker at Crestwood. I am one of the first Pre-vocational and Dreamcatcher employees. I started out working for snacks and when the Dreamcatchers program started, I wanted to be part of the program but wasn’t concerned about the money. Short story, in order to be a Dreamcatcher, I had to make money. Hard work in the program and support from staff led me to an on-call position at the Bridge. I later transferred to the MHRC as an on-call employee until I became a full-time employee there as an AM recovery coach. I met my wife of 5 years at the Bridge while working as a Dreamcatcher. We have a daughter together. On the road to recovery, I’ve also met many wonderful staff, now co-workers. I couldn’t have caught a bigger dream than the one I’m living now as a husband, Dad to our daughter, and providing a home for my family. God has blessed me in abundance.” -Taj
“Dreamcatchers was a golden opportunity for me, especially at my age, having to make a career change and start over from scratch. Dreamcatchers allowed me to have new opportunities to grow and develop. The program opened doors that I never thought possible. It gave me work support that I had never had before and made me believe in myself. It gave me the tools to manage my health with work and be accountable for my actions. I am grateful for the program.” - Kimberly C.