New program aims to create pathway to credentials for community health workers

Shawn Pendenque grew up in an abusive household, where he was treated like a “pariah” for being gay. At 16, his father left him at a youth hostel, and Mr. Pendenque became homeless and addicted to drugs. He was eventually diagnosed with bipolar disorder in his 30s, after suffering a psychotic break and landing in a maximum-security prison.

Such biographical details aren’t typically bullet points one might list on a CV. But for Mr. Pendenque, who just turned 50, his “lived experiences” have become an invaluable asset in his job with a social services organization in Toronto, where he now helps other people facing similar struggles.