Dreams Do Come True!

By: Patti Spinks

I have always wanted to help people as a counselor of some sort. I didn’t think I would be able to fulfil this goal since I struggle with depression, anxiety and bipolar, and at times would isolate.

Fast forward 20 years. It was the 16th of January this year when I came to the San Angelo Clubhouse and made some friends. Over the next couple of months, I refreshed my job skills by volunteering to work in one of the three units of the Clubhouse, which are Membership Devel opment, Clubhouse Café, and Culinary. I spent most of my time in Membership Development until late February, early March, when Ami, our director, knowing my background and knowing my dream job, asked if I would be interested in applying for a new position at the Clubhouse, called a Peer Support Specialist. I thought about it and had many discussions Dreams Do Come True! with her and other staff members, and decided take the bull by the proverbial horns and go for it!

I was a bit anxious, since it has been 20 years since I last worked. I really didn’t know what the job would involve, but I knew I wanted to help people. On March 22, I was hired! I can say it has been a learning process for us all. Since starting, I have had some great online training, have already received one certificate, and I have another week of training in August that I am looking forward to. I am proof that it doesn’t matter what your age is; you are never too old. DREAMS DO COME TRUE!