About Peer Mentors

At MORC, Inc., we understand how difficult it can be to navigate the complex systems in our communities to find the services you need. Sometimes having someone who has a disability and who has been through the system to help can make things easier.  This person is called a Peer Mentor.

A Peer Mentor is a person with a disability who has learned problem solving strategies, how to be a self-advocate and how to navigate systems in their community. Peer mentors don’t tell their peers how to live their lives, they instead offer the benefit of their experiences, provide encouragement, and help those they work with construct strategies to bring about the changes they want in their lives.

Ways Peer Mentors Can Help You

• Be an ally in helping you advocate for things that are important to you.
• Assist with the person-centered planning process.
• Help you navigate the system.
• Help you find resources in the community that can aid in independence.
• Offer encouragement and support through the benefit of their experience.
• Help in specialized areas such as recreational opportunities, community inclusion, transitioning into housing, education or employment, transportation, and more.

Find a MORC Peer Mentor

Below are available MORC Peer Mentors and their areas of expertise.  Click on their name to read their full profile and get their contact information

Lisa Barger: housing transitions, employment, self-advocacy View Profile

Matt Fritzen:  computer skills, finding community resources, transportation View Profile

Laura Grassi:  person-centered planning, community resources View Profile

Megian Johns:  transitions, and physical activity View Profile

Alex Kimmel:  self-determination, transitions, employment View Profile

Debbie King:  Person-centered planning and self-determination View Profile

Amie Kupovits:  Person-centered planning, organization, advocacy, microbusiness support  View Profile

Janeaqua Watkins:  communicating needs, social skills building, daily living coaching and community access View Profile

Requirements

To Request a Peer Mentor:   You can request a Peer Mentor by asking your Support Coordinator for one prior to developing your person-centered plan.

To Be a Peer Mentor:  If you have a developmental disability and live in Oakland County, you can apply to be a Peer Mentor.  You must commit to a required five week training course of three and a half hours per week.

For more information about the Peer Mentor Program, please contact Adam Fuhrman at 586-263-8714 or adam.fuhrman@morcinc.org