Envision Unlimited Takes on Springfield: Our Peer Mentor’s Experience

When peer mentor Yashica Collins registered to attend the Illinois Association of Rehabilitation Facilities’ (IARF) Advocacy Day earlier this year, she thought she was signing up for a webinar. Little did she know that she’d actually be in Springfield, walking the halls of the State Capitol and rubbing elbows with state legislators.

The daylong conference gave visitors a chance to learn about important issues in disability services – such as potential wage increases for direct support professionals and additional Medicaid support for mental health services – and share their perspectives with the General Assembly. Collins said many of the providers in attendance focused on intellectual and developmental disabilities. But as an engagement specialist who works in our Transitional Community Care program, she represented Envision Unlimited as a mental health care provider.

“I wanted them to know who we are,” she said as she recalled passing out her business card and inviting legislators to visit the Envision Unlimited Ravenswood Mental Health Center, the hub of our mental health programs.

Collins has been a peer mentor for nearly two years and said she tries to take advantage of opportunities that will help her learn and get more involved in her work. She describes herself as an “all-around person” who is always willing to help people.

“It was a really good experience,” she said about the event. “I would love to go back.”