Advocacy Education

Community Service Commitment
Students must agree to complete six months of community service, six hours per week, after graduation from Advocacy Unlimited's 14 week, intensive Advocacy Education Course. This community work is a "give back" in return for the training students receive at no cost through the Advocacy Education Course. Graduates of the course share the skills they have acquired with other consumers and encourage them to pursue independent lives with the individual support systems they need.

Students must successfully graduate from the course before they begin this community service. AU facilitates arrangements for community placements at locations where consumers gather, such as local mental health authorities, social clubs, or clubhouses. Ongoing support is provided through the local "Meet and Greet" meetings and weekly phone contacts between the graduate advocate and AU staff. Assistance will also be provided to the advocates in scheduling their guest speakers for the presentations they arrange at their community placements, and in compiling promotional materials.

The community commitment is structured as follows:

• Two hours of individual and systems advocacy
  The advocates post their hours and are available at the same location on a weekly basis to help individual consumers or groups of consumers resolve problems pertaining to mental health issues. Effective negotiating skills and record-keeping are encouraged. The advocate assists the individual or the group in gathering information and making informed choices regarding their issue or problem through the proper channels.
  
  
• Two hours of community education
  The advocates arrange and coordinate workshops and presentations by guest speakers. Advocates serve their peers by developing and presenting workshops designed to promote recovery through knowledge, improved decision making, and ever increasing self-confidence. At least two such presentations must be offered monthly, and part of the two-hour time will be spent on planning workshops, scheduling guest speakers, and publicity. Again, guidance and support from AU staff will be available.
  
  
• Two hours of community mobilization
  This consists of network building and involves inviting other consumers and interested parties to become part of the Advocacy network.

If you are interested in applying for the Advocacy Education Course, you can complete and submit an Online Application form.

See Course Outline for a listing of the Advocacy Education Course topics.