On Our Own, Together: Peer Programs for People with Mental Illness

Chapter 6: PEER Center, Inc., Oakland Park, Florida

123 6 PEER Center, Inc., Oakland Park, Florida Compiled by Bonnie Schell and Nancy Erwin from material supplied by PEER Center directors and staff The PEER Center in Oakland Park, Florida, is a thriving consumeroperated drop-in center with an active membership of over one thousand consumers, a mailing list of three thousand, and a staff of forty. It is the largest consumer-operated drop-in center in the state of Florida and one of the largest in the country. While many consumer-run programs, such as MHCAN in California (see Chapter 3) and Advocacy Unlimited in Connecticut (see Chapter 9), are the product of one person’s devotion, the PEER Center has enjoyed the contribution of many service organizations in the community and a continual influx of consumer leaders. Mission When the PEER Center was incorporated in 1993 under 501 (c)(3), its mission was “to improve the quality of life of members through peer support groups, advocacy groups, educational and social projects, and programs for public information and education.” The name PEER stands for the goals of personal empowerment, education, and recreation. The original facility welcomed all mental health consumers, survivors, and ex-patients seeking a place where they could be free of the stigma and pressure they experienced as consumers in today’s society. In Broward County, with a population of 1.9 million, the transience that characterizes the Florida populace extends into the consumer community as well: some PEER CentermembersspendthewinterinFloridaandreturntonortheasternstates in the summer, and many members and staff move to Broward County from other parts of the United States. Bonita, a nurse from Maryland, for OnOurOwnFinalPages.indd฀฀฀123 4/16/05฀฀฀6:10:22฀PM 124 On Our Own Together: Drop-In Centers example, found herself stranded after being attacked and robbed. She says, “I would have starved to death because I did not even know what a soup kitchen was. I had some of the most loving workers helping me here. That’s why I volunteer now as much as possible—to say thank you.” With the help of the PEER Center staff, Bonita transferred her bank account to Florida and found housing. The first PEER Center had a staff of four consumers who believed in the self-help empowerment philosophy that enables consumers to return to the community as confident, productive citizens. The purpose of the PEER Center was to offer consumers a place of respite, a place where they could feel safe and meet with their peers without pressure and without stress. Consumers found a place where they could feel comfortable and interact freely with others, and where they could receive support and advocacy when they most needed it. These original goals of the PEER Center , despite three changes in location and many program additions, are still the primary reason the PEER Center exists. Brief History The PEER Center was the product of consumer needs voiced by a group called M.I.A.M.I. (Most Important Advocates for the Mentally Ill) of Broward County, and the influx of funds for community services developed through the Sanbourne v. Chiles class action lawsuit. The M.I.A.M.I. group initially refused government funding, choosing the philosophy “On Our Own” espoused in the book by Judi Chamberlin of the same title. The M.I.A.M.I. group attended the conference “Alternatives 1990” in Pittsburgh and returned with information about programs from across the country. Ed and Patty Cooper, recent arrivals from North Carolina, had been working with the Mental Health Association of Broward. Ed put together a proposal to study the feasibility of a drop-in center, which he presented to Florida’s state social service agency, Health and Rehabilitation Services (HRS). The M.I.A.M.I. submitted a request for ninety thousand dollars to fund the drop-in center itself, rather than the twenty thousand dollars for the feasibility study. The proposal was approved by the Alcohol Drug Abuse Mental Health Planning Council of HRS. Patty Cooper was running a group at the Mental Health Association called “Project Return” that was similar to MHA programs in Los Angeles. This group began the process of determining what consumers wanted. OnOurOwnFinalPages.indd฀฀฀124 4/16/05฀฀฀6:10:22฀PM PEER Center 125 A steering committee was formed with members from M.I.A.m.I, Project Return, and the DMDA (Depression and Manic Depression Association). At...