We are thrilled to share an employee interview from Brooke Fuller, a pivotal part of our Community Supports team. Brooke is a Certified Peer Mentor for MOKA’s Linked Program. In her role, she helps connect peers to the community through volunteer opportunities, providing information about local support systems, and sharing relevant information from a peer perspective.
Thank you to Hannah Kater, Executive Assistant, for capturing Brooke’s experiences with MOKA in the following interview and a huge thank you to Brooke for sharing. We are so grateful to have you as part of the MOKA family!
Can you tell me a little about the Linked Program?
I think it was started by a grant and they told those of us that are Certified Peers about the job and what it was. We connect peers together with other peers into the community. It has been a few years since it started. It’s getting bigger because more people want to join.
How often do you meet in your group?
Twice a week.
Is it always the same group of people?
Yes, Monday we go to Beer City with four people and Wednesday, I can have three people.
Where does the group go on Wednesday?
It depends. We’ve been to the public museum, the Ford museum just to tour, we aren’t volunteering here.
Do you meet at the locations?
Yes, they all find their own transportation.
How long have you been with MOKA? And did you start right away with the Linked Program?
I’ve been with MOKA for about 3.5 years and I started with the Linked Program.
Tell me about your role with the Linked Program.
I connect peers into their communities. We do various activities, eventually the people in the group will be doing that without me and I will transition to helping a new group.
What is your favorite part of your role?
I enjoy helping peers and connecting with them.
What interested you about this position?
It sounded interesting and it was always hard for us to find people to do peer work with. This is something where we would have constant work.
Were you in this role prior to MOKA?
Yes, we contract with network180 as peer mentors.
What is the most meaningful part of your work?
I like to help people and assist them in showing them things to do.
Can you tell me about a time when you knew you made a difference?
When people start talking to each other more and opening up. I think that is when I can see the big difference.
And you help to bridge that?
Yes.
What makes you proud to work at MOKA?
I am proud to work at MOKA because I enjoy the people that work here and I enjoy helping the peers.
Is there anything else you want to say about what drew you to work with MOKA?
The job itself drew me in because we would have constant work. Stability.
Thank you so much for your time, Brooke! We are so grateful for your work and proud to have you our team.