Meet Q, McCreesh Place Case Manager

What is your position at SHC?

I am a case manager at McCreesh Place.  I provide wraparound case management to men and women who are formerly homeless and living with at least one disability.

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of my job is being able to assist individuals right where they are.  I provide them with a person-centered action plan and harm reduction so that they maintain a stable and healthy lifestyle.  When residents follow through with the plan and get better, it can be extremely gratifying.

For example, last year we had a resident who worked hard and was self-driven to live independently. Soon, he moved out of McCreesh Place into his own apartment, and I continued to provide him with three months of case management, just to make sure that he had all he needed.  Now that he is successfully living on his own, he still comes back to McCreesh place to reconnect with his old friends.

Another thing I love about my job is stepping into the support role for individuals who have been judged or cut off due to their physical disabilities or mental illnesses.  Many people who experience homelessness are estranged from their families.  As a case manager, I can provide them with some of the support they need.  This is extremely meaningful to me.

What’s it like working with Peter [the resident featured in the newsletter this month]?

Peter amazes everyone around McCreesh Place and the community with his interest in astronomy and astrology. Peter can articulate your horoscope and has a great memory.  He speaks highly of his late mother and the deep bond they had before her passing.  His grief—in combination with his OCD—can cause him to over-collect and save items.  He has a hard time letting go of things that are meaningful to him.

Structure allows Peter to stay healthy and to maintain housing in a healthy environment. He likes to go to South Park Mall and take photographs of McCreesh Place and his surroundings and of the sunset, as you know.  These are healthy rituals because they help Peter relax.

What do you do when you’re not working?

What helps me relax is self-care. I make it my business to take myself out, buy myself something nice, spend time with family, have fun with friends.  I try to leave work at work.

What is a quote or motto that you like?

“Take a Minute.”  Sometimes a minute is all it takes to make the right decision and give the right response.  Give yourself time to think and process before reacting.