Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration

CMHS Consumer Affairs E-News
April 11, 2005, Vol. 05-57

STAR Center National Teleconference Series: Recovery and Employment in the Latino Community

What: These toll-free calls will explore the role of employment on the journey to wellness, with a special emphasis on the experiences of, as well as challenges and opportunities for, members of the Latino Community.

When: Thursday, April 21, 2005 at 7 p.m. EST (in Spanish)
Thursday, April 28, 2005 at 7 p.m. EST (in English)

Details: We will discuss frankly some of the difficulties in gaining and keeping employment, as well as strategies, techniques, and resources for overcoming those obstacles. Our speakers -- both consumers and consumer-supporters --will share their personal experiences, describing the contributions that working has made to continuing recovery, and recommending specific resources and best practices. While the calls will offer valuable information to listeners from any cultural background, particular attention will be paid to the needs, concerns, and strengths of the Latino Community. After the panelists' presentation, callers will have an opportunity to ask questions and offer their perspectives. The only equipment needed in order to participate is access to a telephone. The call is free.

RSVP: To participate in the Spanish language conference call, please send an email to LatRecovEmploySpan@nami.org by Tuesday, April 19, at noon Eastern time. We will send you information (in Spanish) by close of business the following day on how to dial in toll-free to that Thursday's call. To participate in the English language conference call, please send an email to LatRecovEmployEng@nami.org by Tuesday, April 26, at noon Eastern time. We will send you information (in English) by close of business the following day on how to dial in toll-free to that Thursday's call. If you do not have access to email, please call the STAR Center toll-free at 866-537-STAR (7827) to request notification.

Teleconference Speakers:

Lupe Morin has served as Family Resource Coordinator/Educator at the Center for Health Care Services in San Antonio, Texas for fourteen years. She has extensive experience in supportive employment, assisting consumers in getting and keeping a good job.

Juany Lopez, also at the Center for Health Care Services, is a consumer who has made the transition to employment as a community services worker. She plans to return to college as well.

David Gonzalez is the Coordinator of Support Services for the Mental Health Empowerment Project and the founder of the anti-stigma/anti-abuse website www.cinemaniastigma.com. He also served as Employment Coordinator for the New York Works research project.

Ramiro Guevara is Director of the STAR Center, and a nationally recognized leader in recovery and cultural competence.

Majose Carrasco, Director of NAMI's Multicultural Action Center, will moderate the calls.

Background: This call is part of the ongoing STAR Center National Teleconference Series, designed to provide resources and culturally competent support for self-help to consumers and their supporters in diverse communities. Previous calls have addressed culturally relevant concerns of African Americans, Asian-American and Pacific Islanders, and members of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered communities. The overarching goal of the teleconference series is to provide an opportunity for individuals living with mental illness to participate in culturally relevant conversations about self-help, peer support, and other tools for achieving recovery. You can learn more about the STAR Center at www.consumerstar.org.

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The Center for Mental Health Services is a component of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, United States Department of Health and Human Services.