On the first day Nick walked into the Our Space community room, he knew it was a very special place. Just two short years later, he finds himself serving as the President of the drop-in center program, which is designed to empower individuals who face mental health and/or substance abuse challenges. “From the very first day I was here on a tour, I felt like I belonged. People were talking…
While many community organizations are reducing their level of in-person contact in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Our Space, Inc.’s Parachute House Peer-Run Respite is meeting people face-to-face in the midst of their most difficult crises. The stately 1880’s Victorian house opened its doors in February of 2019 and was the first peer-run respite facility in Milwaukee County. The Parachute House serves up to five guests at a time. The…
2020 has handed each of us a multitude of challenges. The pandemic has caused us to redefine much of what we viewed as “normal,” creating unease, unrest, and uncertainty. 2020 was also a year punctuated by record mental health and addiction crises. Each member of the Our Space team was impacted by these crises in profound ways; yet despite the adversities, they continued to show up. They continued to be…
When Jennifer was growing up, it seemed the cards were stacked against her. She lived in poverty, the victim of sexual abuse, diagnosed with countless mental health disorders, and self-medicating with drugs. Jennifer learned at a young age to live up to the predictions people made for her future. “I was always perceived as the lost cause. All of the ACES [Adverse Childhood Experiences] you could go through, I think…
The road that led Jennifer to Our Space was not one easily travelled. However, despite the difficult path she journeyed, it created a story that she now uses to make a difference and change the life trajectory of the individuals she serves. To say her early home life was unconventional would be a gross understatement. However, for Jennifer, it was the only life she knew. “The family I grew up…
When Robbie thinks back on his childhood, it doesn’t hold the typical memories of a young boy. Growing up without siblings, to a single mom who was regularly in the throes of addiction, put him in the position of man of the house at an early age. “I remember being in the living room with thick clouds of smoke from crack, and my mom’s friends were there. They would come…
“Mental illness is not easy, but we are still people. We shouldn’t be labeled. Like me, I’m a slow learner, and I was labeled as mentally retarded. I didn’t fit in with the normal kids in class, but really what is normal?” This is what Andy wishes he could tell people who judge him. This is what he wishes the world would know about people who struggle with mental health…
Alicia grew up in one of Chicago’s roughest neighborhoods. The Robert Taylor Homes was housing complex of 28 densely packed high-rise apartment buildings known for poverty, gang violence, and drugs. Her family of 10 shared a four-bedroom apartment in the development. Her parents took one room, her six brothers another, she and two sisters shared the third room, and her oldest sister occupied the last. She remembers a home bustling…
Despite the difficulties Matt faces every day, he is one of the most open, honest, and humble individuals you might ever have the chance to meet. He will be the first to admit the path that led him to where he is today has been destructive. Diagnosed with ADHD in kindergarten, the journey from childhood through adolescence and into adulthood was precarious to say the least. While he recalls having…
Optimistic, goal-oriented, encouraging and positive – If you ever have the pleasure of speaking with Simone, these are just a few words that might come to mind. In spite of her mental health struggles, this vibrant young woman has big plans for a bright future. Growing up, Simone was the youngest of three girls. She has many fond memories of her younger years and recalls laughter playing an important part…
When you first meet Sean, you notice he is soft spoken and even gentle. But if you are lucky enough to engage him in conversation, you will soon learn that there is so much more than a first impression offers. Growing up in Wauwatosa, he remembers a rocky childhood. School yard bullies made his formative years very difficult. “High school was particularly hard. I got picked on a lot. Kids…
2020 has been quite a year…an understatement to say the least. While most people are not sad to see the year come to a close, we would be remiss to let it slip away without appropriate reflection and perhaps even a bit of thankfulness. This past January, when the clock struck midnight on a new decade, the world anticipated great things. 2020 seemed the perfect year to reset our lives,…
“Just because my eyes don’t work doesn’t mean that I am not a human being, capable of offering the same support and help that anyone else can.” Shalene Fayne – Our Space Peer Support Specialist There are people we have the privilege of meeting that just make us want to be better. They cause us to focus less on our problems, and the things we cannot do, and make us…
In part one of The Our Space Peer Support Model blog, we introduced the Our Space peer support model, utilizing individuals with lived experience walking alongside someone battling a similar issue. This week, we invite you to learn more about peer support, through stories recounting how it makes a difference in the lives of those served through this program. Each Peer Support/Consumer relationship is as unique as the individuals they…
The members celebrated the highly anticipated annual Halloween party with great enthusiasm. Everyone was encouraged to get into the festive spirit by dressing up in their spookiest costumes, and they did not disappoint! Members engaged in fun activities by playing exciting games and indulging in a delicious lunch. It was a day filled with joy and laughter, and a great way for our members to come together and bond over…
A walk through Seven Bridges offers a therapeutic retreat from the bustling energy of city life. Nestled in the heart of Milwaukee, this expansive green space provides a serene environment where the mind can wander amidst the delicate tapestry of nature. The rhythmic sound of footsteps on the gravel pathways, combined with the gentle rustle of leaves and distant city noises, creates a meditative ambiance. As one meanders through the…
