Meaningful Roles and Supported Employment
Supported employment and supported education are evidence-based treatment tools that provide our persons served with meaningful roles and are the key to de-institutionalization and creating a successful integration into the community for them.
In 2000, Crestwood created Dreamcatchers Empowerment Network (DEN), a not-for-profit program that is dedicated to the employment of people with disabilities. Our Dreamcatchers program in our Crestwood’s campuses strives to empower our persons served with meaningful roles through supported employment and supported education that helps build their self-esteem and provides them with hope and a purpose for their future.
Crestwood’s partnership with Dreamcatchers Empowerment Network has provided a rich experience with employing persons served at all levels of services, as well as in competitive employment in the community. The DEN partnership has enabled us to expand the supported education to include adult education at most of our sites. Some of our campuses also have persons served enrolled in college courses and are completing certificated programs through the community college system.
Here are a few inspiring stories from a few of Dreamcatchers’ persons served and how Dreamcatchers 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 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. At my age to have 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. Gave me the tools to manage my health with work and be accountable for my actions. I am grateful for the program”. — Kimberly C