A New Found Stability

Jaime* has been in and out of shelter several times over the past six years.  She has struggled immensely with addiction issues.  Jaime has managed to maintain sobriety for over a year now.  She was finally approved for Shelter Plus Care and has acquired permanent housing.

Recently Jaime was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She will have surgery next week.  Her case manager at the Salvation Army Social Service Center has assisted her with hygiene items, food, support and transportation to medical appointments.

Despite all of the recent events in Jaime’s life, she has managed to remain sober.

*Names have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the client.

More Than Just Shelter

We recently recieved a phone call from a client, Michelle,* that we had served almost 5 years ago. Michelle came into the Social Service Center to speak with a case manager about a situation involving her son that she had been dealing with for the past year. Michelle’s oldest child, a 15 year old boy, had been in and out of juvenile and was becoming abusive. He had run away from home twice in the past two months and was not attending school. Her case manager at the SSC referred her to several programs in the community and also to parenting classes and domestic violence support group here at the shelter.

Michelle recently finished her Associate’s Degree at Ivy Tech College and has been employed with a medical office for the past six months. Her three other children are all well, attending school and participating in outside activities. She is receiving stead child support from the children’s father and states that she is doing okay.

*Names have been changed to protect the confidentiality of the client.

Continuing Support

“M” came into the shelter after receiving a court order from CPS regarding child welfare.  She had recently had her two children returned to her after being taken away for a two week period.  M was ordered to take parenting and anger management classes and meet with a counselor weekly.  She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and placed on several types of medications.  Within several weeks M’s attitude changed and she was prepared to care for herself and her children.  She followed through with all of her classes and is now working towards receiving her GED.  One of her children is in Head Start and the other goes to day care part time during the week.

When M first moved out of the shelter we did not hear from her for several months.  After a crisis occurred with one of her children’s health she contacted her case manager for advice and assistance.  She remains in contact weekly to bi-weekly and is a participant in the Continuing Support Program.