In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, we share the story of Jim Biewer, whose work at Peckham has been a cornerstone in managing his schizoaffective disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Diagnosed in 2018 after a mental health crisis, Jim found stability through Peckham’s supportive workplace and its mission to provide meaningful employment opportunities.
Jim’s mental health challenges began with intrusive thoughts that disrupted his daily life. “It was like wrestling with my mind while trying to work,” he recalls. After inpatient treatment and finding effective medication, he sought a workplace that could accommodate his needs. Recommended by his psychiatric team, Jim joined Peckham, an organization dedicated to creating inclusive job opportunities, and began working at their farm across from Watertown A and B in Lansing, in 2020.
The farm’s structured tasks—planting, tending, and harvesting crops like tomatoes and strawberries—proved therapeutic. “Working with the earth, seeds, and plants was very beneficial for my mental illness because of how orderly it was,” Jim says. The cyclical nature of planting and harvesting provided a calming rhythm, helping him manage his symptoms. During the off-season, tasks like snow removal and setting up Christmas decorations kept him engaged, offering a sense of purpose.
Peckham’s accommodations were crucial. When his symptoms intensified, Jim was granted flexible hours, emergency break times, and medical leave. “They allowed me to take a day off a week when I needed it,” he notes. These adjustments enabled him to prioritize his mental health while maintaining employment. Peckham’s supervisors also played a key role, providing regular feedback and monthly reviews to help him stay on track.
After spending a few seasons on the farm, Jim transitioned to a customer service role, taking calls in one of Peckham’s Contact Center Solution’s facilities. The team-oriented environment, where he could chat with colleagues, made the work enjoyable and socially engaging. This role aligned with his self-driven learning style, shaped by his homeschooling background, where he learned that “learning is a way of life.”
Peckham’s mission to maximize human potential resonates deeply in Jim’s story. Beyond work, he plans to pursue a four-year program to become a deacon in his church starting in 2026, confident that Peckham’s flexibility will allow him to balance both commitments. Supported by his family and psychiatric team, Jim has found a path to stability. He expresses gratitude for Peckham’s patience: “Thank you for seeing me through the worst and the best of my mental illness.”
Jim’s journey highlights how a supportive workplace can foster mental health recovery. Through meaningful work and accommodations, Peckham has helped him build a foundation for growth, both at work and in his community, proving that stability and purpose go hand in hand.