By Intake and Resident specialist Holly Gardner
Most of the time I see our families eager to job search, have a paycheck again and work with our budgeters. These are things that can be measured as they reach their goals. Almost always in the screening process money management comes up and is a common thread we can all relate to. But sometimes it is health and reconnecting with doctors and other health professionals that takes a front seat after a family moves in from shelter as it was with Ms J.
When she reached out to us she shared she had no one to talk to, share with, ask advice from. She had a serious illness and had not been able to let it fully sink in how it was going to impact her or her daughter.
Since moving in she has been given referrals and has followed up with doctors, counselors and others who specialize with people who are transitioning in to a new, different and for most a scary reality especially if family ties are broken. Since moving in and working with staff we have seen Ms J have a painful and very personal wake-up call and have seen her take her routine and health more seriously and try to use her energy wisely.
She may not obtain employment and move out in a more traditional way but she will have a community of health professionals, case managers and the like supporting and encouraging her. She moved in with little to no family support but will move out with a new family, a growing network of people who will be there on her darker days and remind her she is not alone.
Yes, sometimes our families get more productive and shine in ways they didn’t think they could and sometimes the light is even brighter for those whose journey is harder to measure.
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