David Pollitt is luckier than most. He found a job he loves and is proud of what he does. Pollitt, 52, works with Goodbye Graffiti, a company that cleans graffiti, as well as removes stickers and posters from public property.
Pollitt suffers from bipolar mood disorder, as well as obsessive compulsive and anxiety disorders. Although told by several doctors that such a life-changing diagnosis came with the burden of a lifelong stigma, Pollitt doesn’t feel it limits him. It’s even opened doors for him and is the reason he works in a job that he loves.
After his diagnosis several years ago, he was introduced to Coast Mental Health, which gave him a job as a street cleaner. Through Coast’s transitional employment program he began working with Goodbye Graffiti in October 2013.
The program’s goal is to help individuals with mental health issues enter the workplace without stress of interviews, or job loss due to absenteeism. Coast Mental Health conducts on-the-job training and is meant to accommodate those who may find their mental illness prohibits them from always showing up to work — not that Pollitt needs such assistance. In six months, he’s called in sick only twice.
Finding it more challenging than his previous job as a street cleaner, Pollitt said he noticed a lot of changes since he started working with Goodbye Graffiti six months ago. He genuinely enjoys his work. He began at four hours a week, and is now up to 16.
Yatan Anand, the manager at Goodbye Graffiti, says the company got involved with Coast in September after their founder learned about the program and decided it would be a good fit. And a good fit it was — Anand has nothing but praise for Pollitt.
“It’s been great,” said Anand, “Every morning, [David’s] all charged up and excited to go. The guys look at him like, ‘How can he be so fresh on a Monday at 6:30 in the morning?’”
He said that all employees that come from TEP are ready to learn, creative, hardworking, honest and sincere.
“Its been going more than great so far,” he said.
Pollitt doesn’t let his disorder stop him from working hard, and he says it even helps him.
“In a lot of ways [my disorder] actually assists me... I’m able to focus intently on what I am doing,” he said. He compares his focus to an athlete who gets in the zone. “It’s hard to describe. It’s enjoyable.”
Anand said working with TEP wasn’t a challenge at all. “We look at it as an opportunity to understand the person better.”
Aside from having a job that gets him outside, Pollitt says the most important part about Goodbye Graffiti and TEP is the people he works with.
“Working for someone who basically accepts your particular situation is enormous. It’s hard to describe,” says Pollitt, “I feel very comfortable. I like it.”
Fundraising campaign
Coast Mental Health is seeking $75,000 to expand its vocational training to help 50 more people dealing with mental health to find and maintain meaningful employment. For more information on its fundraising campaign, see CoastMentalHealth.com or click: fundraiser.
@CoastMH
@Fundrazr
