Meet the Self-Advocates
Meet Self-Advocate Mentor
Nancy Everett from Cleveland, Tennessee
Hello, my name is Nancy Everett and I live in Cleveland, Tennessee. I live with my family and they are very important to me. I enjoy volunteering at local Nursing Homes and a church ministry called Caring Place which provides free clothing to community members in need. I like to take care of myself through healthy eating and exercise. I advocate for myself by speaking up and speaking out as well as doing things for myself. My work as a Self-Advocate Mentor is important to me. I love this work because I enjoy helping others. Talking with my peers and helping them find answers is the best thing about being a Self-Advocate Mentor. I serve on Life Bridges’ Human Rights Committee and on the State of Tennessee Licensure Board. Because of self-advocacy training, I am a leader now.
Meet Self-Advocate Mentor
Ashley Miller
Ashley has been a Self- Advocate Mentor since 2012. She enjoys swimming and going to the movies.
What do you like most about being a Self-Advocate Mentor (SAM): I like receiving the information and training needed to make decisions, so, that I can speak up and speak out about things that are important to me.
In what areas of your life have you used the training you received as a SAM to achieve the outcomes you desire: I feel pretty safe at my home and when I’m out in the neighborhood. I know what to do and who to tell if someone tries to hurt me or do mean things to me I have privacy when I like and I vote when I want too. I live in a nice house and I have the staff and transportation that I need to get to my job at Marshall's dept. store where I have enjoyed working for the past 3 years as an associate. I like to swim and go to the movies with my roommate and friends. I graduated from the University of Memphis (60 hours) Tiger Life program where I received a Certificate of Completion Award in Career and Community Studies. I have my brother who is my roommate; I made the choice to work at Marshall's. My personal goals are to continue working at Marshalls Department store and to continue my college education.
As I continue to learn about rights/responsibilities, my goal as a Self- Advocate Mentor is to have meetings to help others learn about their rights/responsibilities so that they can exercise the rights that are most important to them.
Meet Self-Advocate Mentor
Desheika “Shay” Erving
Desheika receives supports from WTFS in the West Region, and she has been a Self-Advocate Mentor for 7 months. Her hobbies include shopping, dancing, and singing.
What do you like most about being a Self-Advocate Mentor (SAM)? I’m learning how to speak up and speak out about the things that are important to me.
In what areas of your life have you used the training and knowledge you received as a SAM to achieve the outcomes and supports your desire? I have used my training and knowledge in the areas of: Knowing who to tell if someone tries to hurt me, and I have privacy whenever I want. I graduated from the University of Memphis 60 hours Tiger Life Program where I received a Certificate of Completion in Career and Communities Studies. My family is very important to me and I enjoy spending time with them. I also enjoy hanging out with my roommate, friends, and staff. I picked the home I live in and I choose the things I do in the community.
My Personal Goals are: lose weight, learn to manage my money, spend more time with family and friends, find a job and continue learning more about my rights.
My goals as a Self- Advocate Mentor are: Help others speak up and speak out about the support they need to learn more about their rights and to find jobs.