Karen Streeter

Provide peer support to clients of the wellness center, sharing from lived experience of a mental illness as appropriateLink clients with community resources in areas of need such as housing, benefits, parenting, and recreationFacilitate psycho-educational support groups for topics such as stress/anxiety management, peer support, anti-stigma, games and recreation, and creative expressionOrganize community outings to local museums, parks, and theatres, accompanying clients and assisting in socialization and community integration.

Advocate for consumer issues as a volunteer to the Quality Assurance Board, an advocacy board providing mental health consumers with a voice in their treatmentProvide consumer representation on a monthly basis for Pasadena Housing and Homeless Network as a guest of the Quality Assurance BoardParticipate regularly in consumer social events, including the annual Christmas party for Q.A.B and local Wellness Center classes and groups

Advocated for support for a volunteer effort to survey and identify 20+ most vulnerable homeless people in the city of Pasadena, for the purposes of providing housing and wraparound services.

Participated in a volunteer recruitment committee, assisting committee members in recruitment strategies for support for survey week and beyond.

 Interviewed homeless residents of Pasadena, assessing their level of vulnerability through questions regarding their physical and mental health issues, length of homelessness and veteran status.

 Utilized social media to promote the efforts of Project Housed, and mobilize support for our homeless neighbors through strategic posts on Twitter and Facebook pages of homeless services organizations.

Motivated members of faith communities and recovery communities to participate in this effort, through effective promotion and storytelling to humanize the issue of homelessness.

Provided life skills training and personal care in the areas of cooking, cleaning, financial budgeting, personal hygiene, and socialization/recreation for adults with developmental and mental disorders

Caregiver and house supervisor for six adults with developmental and mental disorders, providing training in basic life skills

Advocated for consumers with disabilities, assisted them in the process of benefits application and appeal for SSI/SSDI, Medi-cal/Medicare, Food Stamps, and other public benefits programs. Educated consumers about rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, especially in the areas of employment and educational accommodations for disabilitiesProvided both one-on-one and group peer support to consumers, giving presentations at satellite locations on the services our agency providedConnected consumers to programs for housing assistance, accessible housing options, and affordable housing programs including Section 8 HUD Housing

“I have worked with Karen Streeter in a Church setting on various projects over the past several years. These have included social interaction projects--such as dinners and picnics--and substantial learning and growth opportunities--such as small groups. I consider her to be a good friend as well as a consummate professional in her work.” September 3, 2010

Karen is a woman who possesses a great deal of single-mindedness and determination. At the William Compton Jr. Wellness Center, where she is a member, I see her consistently assuming the role of a mentor and an advocate. ... demonstrating her deep conviction in greater opportunities for all people and her belief in future educational opportunities for those she assists.A famous person once said that “The mind is a terrible thing to waste” and Karen Streeter’s skills and experience embody this kind of potential. Karen is a profoundly caring individual who is deeply rooted in the mental health recovery community. She has great aspirations for this community of people in recovery. Because of these aspirations, Karen Streeter consistently strives to be innovative in her approach to educating people and transforming lives.

“Karen is a compassionate and caring individual who cares deeply for the welfare of the clients she provides services to. Karen's expertise at finding resources has benefitted many clients under her care. Karen is a wonderfully cooperative team player who is very flexible in her willingness to assist any of her co-workers when needed.” August 30, 2010