Age is Just a Number: Arwin's Next Steps

Click here to read the Part One of Arwin’s story

Before joining the Employment Readiness Program, Arwin found himself depleted and struggling to rediscover his sense of purpose. Today, his story continues at Mission Possible where he has been promoted to a Lead Associate for the Downtown Eastside route, one of the Clean Team's most challenging contracts. He enjoys his work, which allows him more opportunities to engage meaningfully with his community. 

In August, Arwin also successfully signed a new six-month contract with Project Bridge, a peer-led outreach initiative funded by the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia that helps individuals in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside file their taxes and access government benefits. Working Tuesdays and Thursdays, he values the chance to gain more outreach skills, including empathy, humility, and connection: "People are people, and everybody has a story…You get to meet people on the way, and then just bit by bit, you open those doors, those avenues of opportunity to speak to people and find out what their background is," he shares. 

Outreach work has its challenges, especially as Arwin feels strong empathy towards people struggling and he admits that witnessing hardship can be tough. To prepare, he completed Trauma-Informed Workplace, Naloxone, and First Aid training. These teachings have benefitted all areas of his life, but especially when applying for a permanent Clean Team Technician role at MP. "I love working with people, not just cleaning stuff, so that's why the [Clean Team] Technician job is interesting. I think, here's an organization that is in motion, and when you can find other positions in an organization like [MP], it makes a difference," he shares. 

Arwin is keeping other options in mind as well and continues to apply for other jobs outside of MP. While the job market remains challenging to break into as a senior, he hopes his extensive job history as a teacher and mentor will help him find work in the community, especially in the fields of education, advocacy, and outreach. He has recently set a new goal of seeking extra support in the job application process as his last contract on the Clean Team is coming to an end. 

If Arwin could share one piece of advice with anyone, he would suggest they ask themselves three questions every night. "Ask yourself what went well, what was tricky, and what can you do differently. If you ask and answer those three questions, you can move forward positively, from a grounded place."

Overall, Arwin feels that great things are happening for him, sharing, "I'm much more positive in terms of the future. Every day I'm getting more routine back…A year ago, I wouldn't even want to talk to somebody. I was just way too depressed." We are eager to see how Arwin will combine his new and previous experiences to continue to build a stable life for himself. 

Watch Arwin share his story in his own words: