Success Stories
Names have been changed to protect identity of guests
“Kerry”
Kerry came to us when she lost her job due to illness. She had worked in migrating carnival for a long time and when she became severely ill and was hospitalized. When she was discharged, the carnival had moved along taking with it the only home she had and her job as well.
At intake, when Goals Coordinator asked Kerry “if you were choosing yourself for a friend, what would you admire about yourself?” Kerry answered “nothing”. She was extremely withdrawn; rarely spoke, never smiled or made eye contact.
Kerry had dropped out of 11 th grade and had poor reading/writing skills, but she was a hard worker. The Shelter’s Goals Coordinator worked with Kerry on her self-esteem, job interviewing skills as well as hygiene & neatness issues. Kerry was then able to find a job and when her full time job was reduced to part time, she immediately found another job. Her two jobs were at opposite ends of town, but Kerry walked, never asked for a ride, never took a taxi, never complained, no matter how hot it was. Any time she was called in for extra shifts, she went.
The Goals Coordinator also assisted Kerry in creating a budget and opening a savings account. With two employers that valued her work, money in the bank and a caring shelter community supporting her, Kerry blossomed. She began to smile, talk, interact with others; even give advice to other guests.
Locating a permanent place to live that was in Kerry’s budget was a challenge, but the Goals Coordinator researched options, gave Kerry some choices and drove her to visit the best two options. Kerry chose a boarding house with a supportive landlord and most furniture provided. Kerry was in awe of the house she was to share with other boarders, saying, “I’ve never lived in a mansion before!”
The Shelter’s New Start Furniture Program gave Kerry the few essentials not provided by her landlord for her new apartment and a move out date was scheduled. On Kerry’s last night at shelter there was a house meeting and staff pointed out what a good role model Kerry had become. Instead of hiding as she would have at the beginning of her stay 10 weeks ago, Kerry stood up to speak, encouraging other guests who had just arrived. She told them “if you take advantage of all the shelter has to offer, you can’t help but succeed”. Kerry had obviously taken her own advice.
