Dock Member Series: Laurel Draper of PSR Collaborative
Laurel Draper is the Imagine After Hours Event Coordinator for PSR Collaborative, and casual sheep herder!
The PSR Collaborative seeks to increase social connectivity and engagement among people living with a mental illness in the Greater Victoria area by 10% (1,000 people) by 2025.
1. Tell us a bit about your organization: how do you make a positive impact in the community?
I work with the PSR Collaborative. That's "psychosocial rehabilitation collaborative". We provide social opportunities for people living with mental health challenges plus their friends, families and support network. We do this through hosting monthly evening events located at the Victoria Event Centre that highlight a variety of artistic talent - from comedy to interactive art nights to open mics to improv jams, we do it all!
2. We’d also love to know a bit about you! What drove you to get involved in this work?
I have a family member living with a serious and persistent mental illness. A huge part of his on-going recovery was joining a rock band at the Friends of Music Society. I ended up joining the same rock band as the drummer. Once I got involved in the mental health community, this job with the PSRC just seemed to find me!
3. What was it about theDock that encouraged you to become a member?
The diverse range of people, social impact work and personalities in this space. It's quirky and loveable. Plus there's a big focus on creating a community and opportunities to connect with others!
4. Could you describe a challenge you’ve faced that theDock has helped you overcome?
I live out by Elk Lake on a farm in a Tiny Home and I have a fear of becoming socially isolated. theDock helps me stay connected to people and the community!
5. What is a piece of advice you would offer to another person or group doing similar work? Feel free to reference the challenge you just mentioned, another you have overcome, or some other advice altogether!
Just that it's so important to feel connected to a community and to make time for having fun, especially when we all spend so many hours per day at work.
6. In your mind, how do you see theDock-of-the-future supporting you and other great organizations as an older and wiser Social Impact Hub?
I think you guys are doing everything right. I wouldn't add anything.
7. One last thing: please share something (it can be either fun or serious) that you’d like people to know about you?
As mentioned, I live on a farm in an apple orchard that has an abundance of animals running around; sheep, chickens, dogs, cats. It was recently mating season and I shared my front yard with Romeo the ram and his two girls - Jingles and Jupiter. It was wild out there!
Want to learn more about PSR Collaborative?
Check out their website.
Interested in becoming a Dock member?
Learn more about our membership options!