Hi – I’m Edward!
I am a Peer Support Specialist at the Pathways Vermont Community Center and have been in my role for nine years. I would describe myself as a lifelong learner, a great listener, and someone who needs a constant stream of humor, music, and friendship. My role at the Community Center is multifaceted. I wear many hats. One day I could be talking one-on-one with someone, providing peer support, and another day I could be leading Laughter Yoga. I practice a “being with” approach, which means that rather than striving to help people, I strive to be there if they need someone to talk to or to bounce ideas off of.
It is inspiring to me to be a part of such a unique organization. There are other nonprofits in Vermont dedicated to assisting the homeless, but our approach at Pathways and our practice of peer support is very much needed in today’s mental health field. I believe that what we are doing here needs to be spread everywhere.
It is hard to pick my most memorable experience at Pathways to date. I would say instead that my most memorable experiences are a collective series of moments. I have hosted and been the MC at various open mic nights at the Community Center, as well as planned and implemented a milkshake party. Last year, we also hosted an impromptu Halloween party that had a great turnout and was a lot of fun.
My biggest motivator to come to work every day is the unpredictable nature of my work. The spontaneity of the Community Center really intrigues me. I never know what is going to happen, who is going to walk through the door, and that can be exciting.
In my free time, I love to do anything creative, including hosting a radio show, playing various flutes and percussion instruments, writing poetry, and so much more.
