June is not necessarily the time that we look to think of what we are thankful for. I know that the long lists come out in November. However, lately I have been thinking about the past ten months at LPCS and how much I have enjoyed my time here.
I have worked with hundreds of individuals over the course of these months so far and in the next two, I will see many more. Some of these clients I only saw once, but I saw many on a repeated basis. I got to know their stories and be of some assistance, and they have also taught me a lot. The past two months have been particularly good in terms of feeling success of case management. Two clients, who were chronically homeless (over one year of homelessness or 4 times in the last 3 years) found housing. One client came back and I was nervous as to what her reaction would be to the apartment and she held up her key and said “Abby, it’s perfect!” She moved out and was so happy. I have seen this particular woman struggle through a lot. She has diabetes and has had a bit of an up and down battle with that. A lot of employment possibilities dead ended but she finally found work through the Jewish Vocational Services’ Senior Aide program which matches low-income adults over the age of 55 with agencies that could use some extra skills. The adults gain new work skills, have a part time job, and assist agencies that are working for positive changes around the city. This guest sent me an email earlier this week thanking me for my help. It meant the world to me. She did so much of it on her own, I just provided some leads to JVS and the housing, but I am thrilled to have been a positive force during a hard time in her life.
Two other clients have also found employment. Both making more than minimum wage and either getting benefits or eligible for them soon! They will soon save up money and move out. Both have struggled with addictions in the past. One has been sober for 10 years and one for several more. It is so great to see the success of such hard working individuals.
One of the other clients who routinely brightened my day also just got housing. Let’s call him John. I remember John from the first month I came in. He’s an older guy and he’s tall – a big guy, so I was intimidating. He seemed a bit like a bitter, older man and came in one day within my first few weeks declaring he would be out of here by his birthday. Unfortunately, his birthday was few weeks later from that date, in September. However, he moved out last Friday back into his own apartment. I will definitely miss John. He provided me with some funny “advice” on life which was at times hilarious (going to DC, marrying an old rich guy and divorcing him for his money to pay for my student loans) and other times just plain sweet (telling me that all of these weddings coming up this summer are a reminder that someday I’ll have that beautiful wedding too). Last week he came up to me, put his hand on my should and said, “I’m going to miss you.” I appreciated it so much that we could joke each morning. It makes those early days much better. I think he felt I was sort of like a daughter figure to him and I hope he knows of the great impact he had on me as well. He left me his address and I am thinking of sending him a card sometime because I missed his move out day.
So today was just one of those days that I sat back and thought, I am really going to miss this place. I love my job and am SO thankful I ended up here for my LVC year. It’s not always easy and there aren’t always success stories, but I love it none the less.
