Wellness and Empowerment


The core methodology for all BOSS programs is the Wellness & Empowerment Curriculum.

Based on BOSS’s 35 years of experience in serving the homeless and mentally ill, it is designed to create maximum wellness and self-sufficiency for people with mental illness and other disabilities.

Wellness & Empowerment employs a series of hands-on skill-building workshops, peer support groups, and case management that honors the skills that have allowed people to survive massive challenges, helping them develop new skills better suited for independent living. The highly respectful approach includes a Participatory Agreement signed by both participants and staff, with clear expectations for each.

There are 4 principles at the heart of Wellness & Empowerment:

  1. Grow Through Dignity of Risk: Risking, taking responsibility for, and learning from decisions.
  2. Learn in Partnership: Recognizing strengths, utilizing expertise and personal experience to overcome barriers.
  3. Live in Community: Learning and modeling positive behaviors in the community.
  4. Work for Accountability: Taking charge of one’s life, shifting from survival orientation to stability.

All Wellness & Empowerment activities in BOSS programs highlight and build upon these 4 principles. Staff strive to model the principles on a daily basis.

For more information on the Curriculum, contact:

boona cheema
Executive Director
(510) 649-1930
boonache@aol.com

or

Phyllis Sakahara
Program Director
(510) 732-2993
sakahara@self-sufficiency.org