Overcoming Barriers: Oscar's Story

Originally from El Salvador, Oscar arrived in BC in 1990. Shortly after settling down in Vancouver, he was diagnosed with schizophrenia and struggled to find work that could accommodate his mental illness, ultimately leading to 20 years of poverty and housing insecurity. 

He finished film school in 2008, but even with an education, he was still unable to join the workforce. It wasn't until 2021 when a friend suggested Mission Possible (MP) that Oscar was able to return to the workforce and start regaining his confidence. 

At first, Oscar was hesitant to come to MP because he was concerned that he wouldn't be treated well, as was the case with other employers. 

When he was no longer able to pay his bills, Oscar decided to step out of his comfort zone and join our Employment Readiness Program. Immediately, he recognized the friendly and understanding environment at MP and knew he was in good hands. 

The patience of his supervisors helped him gradually adjust to working again by establishing a regular schedule of afternoon shifts. Being accountable and having people relying on him to show up and be part of a team helped Oscar develop a routine. 

Despite initially finding it challenging to work with such a diverse group of people with struggles of their own, he is proud that he was able to adapt and eventually become a Clean Team Lead!   

When his contract with MP ended, Oscar decided to use some savings to pursue his love for writing and science. He enrolled in courses at UBC, which he found educational and insightful. While attending the university, Oscar was able to continue accessing coaching and job search support at MP.

Coaching was an integral part of Oscar's journey at MP, providing him with tools to cope with his disorder. He appreciates how his coach helped him set goals, improve his personal relationships with people, and become more comfortable working with others. 

At 60 years old, his primary goal was to find full-time work so he could save to retire at 65. With the support of his coach, our Housing Coordinator, and other wraparound services at MP, Oscar was able to secure a full-time position at our partner organization, Goodly, as a kitchen assistant! 

He is now on the path toward meeting his retirement goals and looks forward to what his future holds.

Overall, Oscar's journey at MP helped him develop job-related skills and provided opportunities that he was unable to access before. He feels a renewed sense of self-esteem, which has translated to a wider social network and more confidence during job interviews. 

With the financial security of his new position, he can also buy things that bring him joy, like a new camera or computer system. We are thrilled to see Oscar’s progress and look forward to watching him continue to reach his goals.