Laurie Mitchell Employment Center

Putting My Recovery to Work.......Ali Boushehri

I have been a resident of the Northern Virginia Mental Health Institute for 10 years. Just over 2 years ago I came to LMEC where I met Cristina who coordinates the LMEC Computer Resource Room. I have been going there regularly ever since.

About 3 months ago Cristina asked me if I wanted to volunteer in the Resource Room. I didn’t believe it at first, but here I am now working as a volunteer 20 hours a week. This is a great opportunity for me. It is great to be able to get out of the hospital and I look forward to my work at LMEC; when I get up in the morning I am happy now.

First impressions mean a lot and I take good care of myself so others will have a good first impression of me and LMEC. Having meaningful work has encouraged me to have hope for the future. I can put my volunteer work on my resume and I think the staff will support me in being able to leave NVMHI.

NVMHI staff believe I can Grow, Change and Recover. Without doubt I could not have come this far without the support of LMEC.

I have learned about very practical services through LMEC including the RRWG Technology Grant. I was able to get my IPod through that grant. LMEC also has helped me to learn about the whole Cyber-Space world of information�expanding my horizons which gives me new hope and possibilities.

It amazes me everyday I come here how kind and caring the entire staff of LMEC is. I am so glad to really be a part of that team. I think the reason why they are so warm and welcoming is because LMEC is consumer run and so the whole staff understands the needs of the mental health consumers that they serve.

LMEC is doing a wonderful job. When you live in the solution, the problem simply goes away. I am so happy to be able to pass on my hope to others both in and out of the hospital.

The staff gave me the information I needed to help others in the Resource Room and at the Front Desk. So I am now helping other people to grow and I am setting an example for the other people at NVMHI both while they are in the hospital and when they come to visit LMEC.

Since I have been working at LMEC, I have been elected president of K unit at NVMHI which has given me even more responsibility. I make sure everyone is at the community meetings and go over the goals for that day; see if any problems need to be addressed; and how to make things better. A lot of people are depending on me. I have to get up at 6 AM to get ready for group. I am also a member of the patient advisory counsel. The counsel does listen to us. We have use of a refrigerator now.

The staff at LMEC has helped me build on my strengths. Everyone here has given me amazing opportunities to grow. Lisa Goodwin invited me to co-present Grand Rounds at Western State Hospital. Both Lisa and I got to talk to the staff and clients and the next time I am part of a Workshop, I will know how to run a

PowerPoint Presentation.