In May of 2005 Empowerment Initiatives Inc. was established as an independent 501(c) 3 non-profit organization and separated from OTAC with consultation assistance from Diane Duerschiedt.
By October 2005, EI established the Clackamas County Community Brokerage followed by the Clackamas County Housing Brokerage in May of 2006. The housing brokerage was established following the outcome of a court case between the Oregon State Hospital and Oregon Advocacy Center.
In 2005 Empowerment Initiatives was contracted by Clackamas County Mental Health to develop and present SPIRIT (Service Provider Individualized Recovery Intensive Training). SPIRIT was an 8 week Peer Advocacy and Support training designed by Pat Risser. This pilot program was designed as collaboration between consumer/survivors, family members, and local mental health service providers. The intention behind SPIRIT was to educate customers of Clackamas County Mental Health to take responsibility for their own well-being and make a shift from dependency to empowerment. In 2006, The Oregon Department of Human Services Vocational Rehabilitation Division (ODHS/VRD) contracted with EI to provide peer mentorship training for their customers with mental health diagnosis. Following additional VR funding, three 10 week sessions of SPIRIT were presented with the fourth class graduating in the spring of 2007.
In September 2007 Empowerment Initiatives Inc. initiates REAL (Recovery and Empowerment Applied Life skills) Peer Advocacy and Support Training. Throughout the summer of 2007, a new program developed named Recovery & Empowerment Applied Life skills Peer Advocacy and Support Training, a.k.a- R.E.A.L. It was a 9 week adult education training provided to participants of Vocational Rehabilitation Department and/or recipients of Clackamas County Mental Health Services.
Since that time the Multnomah County Brokerage has continued to flourish and we have been able to establish another type of brokerage program in Multnomah County. The new brokerage operates with funds from the Addictions and Mental Health Services Department in collaboration with Multnomah County. The Sustainable Housing Brokerage provides services to those stepping down from institutional or structured care settings ready for independence. Through this program we have been able to obtain housing stability and subsidy, establish long term goals and seek mental health recovery for fifteen participants. As part of this two-year program, a resource broker will work closely with each participant to help them attain the goals they have selected through the person-directed planning model.
In April 2009 we opened the Peer Mentor program at Renaissance Court Apartments in Villebois/Wilsonville, Oregon. This was an additional collaboration with Clackamas County. In July 2010, we added Chez Ami Apartments to our Peer Mentor program. The Peer Mentor program offers on site supports to residents open to Clackamas County Behavioral Health services on resources, wellness, processing emotions, conflict resolution and housing stabilization activities, such as facilitating positive relationships with property management and finding alternatives to address crisis. We also provide wellness and education based workshops and seminars that empower residents to improve their self advocacy and increase civic engagement.