Caminar’s UC Berkeley Graduate – A Story of Juan’s Success

SAN MATEO, Calif. - Aug. 15, 2014 - PRLog -- As an exceptional student majoring in political science at US Berkeley, Juan suddenly started hearing voices. Just as his life was hitting rock bottom, Juan reached out to Caminar for help.

Originally from El Salvador, Juan and his family immigrated to the U.S. when he was 5 years old. He has always been a great student, getting A’s throughout high school and college and leading peer study groups. Right after high school Juan was accepted into UC Berkley where he excelled as a political science major and spent his free time tutoring Stanford students.

After successfully completing three years at UC Berkeley, Juan began hearing voices. Afraid of being stigmatized and not knowing anything about schizophrenia, Juan tried to ignore the relentless voices and cope with the symptoms himself. Eventually the symptoms forced Juan to quit school. He moved back in with his mother and three younger sisters, none of whom knew anything about living with a family member with schizophrenia. Having nowhere or no one to turn to, Juan began self-medicating with alcohol to quiet the voices in his head.  As a result Juan’s relationship with his mother deteriorated. She kicked him out of the home and filed a restraining order against him. Unknowingly Juan violated the restraining order and was put in jail.  Without a home to return to, Juan was released from jail. At that time, he did not know of any shelters or resources for help.

Homeless and hearing voices, Juan was referred to Caminar’s Full Service Partnership program, an intensive case management and supported housing program for adults with severe and persistent mental illness. Caminar helped Juan to find a temporary place to live, a board and care facility, and begin the Mills Peninsula Outpatient treatment program. After successfully finishing the treatment program, Juan courageously decided he was ready to return to UC Berkeley to attempt to complete his Bachelor’s degree. With the help, support and encouragement of his Caminar case manager, Juan reapplied to Berkeley, signed up for his last few classes and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree!

Juan has recently moved into his own apartment in Redwood City with the help and support of his Caminar case manager. Juan is moving on to the next venture of his life despite being diagnosed with schizophrenia.  Caminar’s supported employment program (Jobs Plus) has helped Juan to find a job, earn an income and be a contributing member of his community. Juan aspires to be an ESL teacher or a case manager in the future and is currently working with Jobs Plus to reach this vocational goal. Juan’s relationship with his mother has improved and they are now very close.  Juan is ever grateful for Caminar’s help in getting him back on his feet. At such a young age, Juan has accomplished a lot and has much to be proud of!

About Caminar:  Caminar is a nonprofit agency that has provided life-saving services for adults with mental, physical and developmental disabilities for 50 years. With an annual budget of $18 million, the agency is located in five Counties -San Mateo, Solano, Santa Clara, San Francisco and Butte in Northern California, and has over 300 employees. Caminar’s community-based programs are designed to maximize wellness and recovery, and to create opportunities for adults with disabilities. Caminar's core services focus on community-based individual support services; intensive residential care, transitional and permanent supported housing, supported education, and supported employment. Caminar strives to assist each individual, helping to create and develop a personalized roadmap for achieving goals.  Visit http://www.caminar.org for more information.