Peer to Peer Community Spotlight: Trevor M.
abby Martucci, Families CCAN Program Director
Families CCAN’s Peer to Peer workshop has been going strong for the past five years. Taught by a team of amazing peer instructors, Peer to Peer is not just a class, but an invitation to join a community and think about the future. This 5-week workshop gives participants a glimpse of what living independently in the community with supports can look like.
Since the Summer of 2021, over 65 participants have graduated from the Peer to Peer workshop! After finishing the workshop, folks are invited to join us for our popular bi-monthly Independence Happy Hour meetups. At the meetups, we discuss important topics related to living more independently, such as safety, friendship, and building community. For more information and registration for our next set of Peer to Peer sessions, check out our Peer to Peer workshop page.
Our next Community Spotlight highlights Trevor M., one of our amazing Peer to Peer Instructors and a long-time member of the Families CCAN community. We recently asked Trevor to share a bit about his life and thoughts on the workshop:
What are a few things that people like and admire about you?
“That I try my best, always. I am an autism self-advocate. And I give back to my community in so many ways.”
Do you have any hobbies? When you're not just advocating, what else are you doing?
“I watch TV, do jigsaw puzzles, and hang out with family and friends.”
Do you have a paid or volunteer job? If so, please tell us about it.
“Yeah, I have a part-time job at Whole Foods in Wynnewood, working in the prepared food section. I pack salads and family meals. That's actually what I was packing in the picture [on the Families CCAN website], was family meals.”
Where do you live and who lives with you?
“I live in a supportive apartment program. I do not have any roommates. I live in Bryn Mawr in Delaware County.”
How long have you been living on your own in the community?
“A long time–Like 12 years, 13 years maybe.”
Have you been in the same apartment the whole time?
“No, I. . . started at [another apartment complex] like, 10 or 11 years ago. I think it was before my 30th birthday, so about maybe 29, 28 [when I moved there], because I remember I had my 30th birthday party at the Chili’s [nearby].”
Do you have any paid supports? If so, how do they support you?
“Yes, through [my Supported Living] program. They help me live my best life, and help me live independently as best I can.”
And what sort of tasks do they help you with?
“Keeping my apartment, basic apartment maintenance.”
And if there were to be an emergency in your apartment, who would you call?
“It all depends on what kind of emergency it was. I mean, if it was a medical thing, then I would call [staff], but if it's maintenance, and I knew that maintenance could fix it, then I would call the maintenance department [at my apartment complex], because I'm independent enough to do that.”
How long have you been an instructor for the Peer to Peer workshop?
“I think three years.--I think October will be 3 years.”
What are some things that you enjoy about being a Peer to Peer workshop instructor?
“I help educate people about living their full life and money management.”
What can participants learn in the Peer to Peer workshop?
“They can learn how to live a full life.”
Is there anything exciting coming up in your life that you’re looking forward to?
“I'll be on vacation at the end of next week. I’m going to Rhode Island with my parents.”
That’s great! I hope that you have a fun and safe trip, and I look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks when the next round of Peer to Peer starts. Thank you very much for talking with me today. I really appreciate it.
“You're welcome.”
We are grateful to Trevor for sharing his story and being a part of our Peer to Peer team! To learn more about how you can join the Peer to Peer workshop and learn from Trevor and the rest of our instructors, check out the webpage.
