Impact Stories – Human Support Services

Sasha’s Story – From Homelessness to a Life She Dreamed Of

Human Support Services — Mon, 22 May 2023 21:09:05 +0000

Sasha likes to sweep. She wants - needs - to keep the space around her clean and safe.

It may seem like a small thing to many, but sweeping up the dirt, rocks and leaves that sully the sidewalk is one small thing she can do to control her environment.

While Sasha is safe and well cared for now, Sasha spent far too long living in environments where she had no control.

A victim of domestic abuse, Sasha was found homeless, living on the streets of East St. Louis. Even then, she was sweeping and cleaning up leaves, trying to clean up the space around her - struggling to find comfort in the chaos.

Social workers moved her from the streets to a hospital and eventually to a now-closed group home. Unfortunately, the staff there was not equipped with the right resources and Sasha suffered in a toxic environment. The residents there were referred to simply as “them.”

By the time Sasha arrived at Human Support Services (HSS), she was in a manic state. Lacking the proper medication and treatment regimen, her behavior was extreme and erratic.

Finding Support

That was six years ago. Today, those who know Sasha describe her as “calm, kind, trusting and hard-working.”

With a stable living environment in an HSS apartment, proper medication, and patient, caring staff that has focused on person-centered supports, Sasha has evolved into the best version of herself.

Ashley, a direct care professional who has worked with Sasha since she came to HSS, said “She is like a flower that has blossomed. She is funny, caring and simply amazing!”

Fiercely independent, Sasha dreams of having a job in the community and would love to own her own house. She loves having her apartment and personal space.

“Being at HSS has taught me to like being around people again,” Sasha said. “They are not my family, but we are a family. They are all I have.”

Thanks to donors like you, HSS is able to provide the support to give clients like Sasha the opportunity to live their best lives. You are making a difference. Every day.

*Some details, including the name, have been adjusted to protect the privacy and confidentiality of our client.

Darren’s Story – Finding Family and a Brighter Future with Help from HSS

Human Support Services — Thu, 06 Apr 2023 14:05:04 +0000

Darren was only 5 when he began to show signs of behavioral issues. By the age of 6, he was placed in foster care.

While parental rights were removed for both Darren and his sister, they were not placed together. He moved from one family to the next - and looking back, Darren says “some were good, some were not.” One special family still connects with him, sending him a Christmas card every year.

As a teenager, Darren struggled with adjustment and mental illness. Still, he managed to graduate from high school.

By the time he came to HSS in 2016, Darren had been hospitalized for mental illness many times. With no family contact, no job and no support system, he had little hope for the future.

Today, thanks to HSS staff and programs supported by donors like you, Darren is thriving.

Darren lives in safe, comfortable housing and has made great strides in taking care of his own home. For the first time in his life, he has a stable job in the community.

Now, Darren has goals to work toward, and he is able to maintain his independence. He is working on obtaining his driver’s license and dreams of going to college one day.

But the one thing Darren still longed for was a family. Since being placed in foster care, all he had was his parents’ names.

Finding Family

With nothing else to go on, HSS IPS Employment Specialist Allyson Mooney set out to help. After months of research, they were able to track down Darren’s sister and his mom.

Darren was elated! While both his mom and sister live out of state, they have initiated contact and made plans to reunite.

Thanks to HSS, Darren is on his way toward reconnecting with his family and achieving his goals.

Your support funds programs like supportive employment, counseling and transitioning housing that help people like Darren pursue their best lives.

Rosita’s Story – Pursuing A Life of Purpose

Human Support Services — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 20:46:32 +0000

Rosita has always been genuinely curious.

Whether she’s walking around the courthouse square or having lunch at the local coffee shop, she’s quick to start a conversation with the person next to her. She wants to know about people and about the world around her.

Perhaps it was that curiosity – that thirst for more – that has driven Rosita all these years.

Now, Rosita’s days are full of purpose. She works at a job she loves at a local nursing home and has a place of her own to call home. She is surrounded by friends and family who support her.

But Rosita’s path to independence and fulfillment wasn’t always clear.

Rosita was born in Mexico, and spent the early years of her life in an orphanage there. At a young age, she was diagnosed with a developmental disability and a learning disability.

At the age of 10, she was adopted by a loving couple from Maeystown who enveloped them into their family.

School was a struggle for Rosita because her cognitive challenges made the traditional learning environment difficult. Still, she persevered.

As graduation approached, her parents wondered what would come next. What would Rosita do as an adult out in the world? Rosita wanted to be independent, but she wasn’t sure what options she had. Then, her high school guidance counselor referred the family to HSS.

HSS staff began working with Rosita and her family to make a plan for the future.

Over 60 percent of parents admit that they do not have a life care plan for their adult children with disabilities. Rosita and her parents determined that she would not fall into this category.

Person centered planning was instituted to discover Rosita’s strengths, abilities and dreams for the future. As our staff got to know Rosita, it became clear that independence ranked high on her list of life goals. She dreamed of living on her own.

The other thing that became abundantly clear around Rosita – she is a caregiver. Her greatest joy comes from caring for others and making them more comfortable, lifting moods and brightening spirits.

Much of this can be attributed to her time spent in the orphanage, where she learned to look after others.

Rosita graduated from Valmeyer HIgh School in 2000. When it came time to seek employment for Rosita, her planning team knew it would be important to find her a job where she could take care of people.

A position at a local nursing home felt like the perfect fit.

She worked with a job coach on-site until she was comfortable enough to perform the job on her own. Now, Rosita is a valued employee and her nurturing nature has found a purpose.

But Rosita wasn’t done pursuing her goals. Seven out of 10 adults with disabilities live with their parents, but Rosita continued to beat the odds. In fact, there are close to 80 individuals living in HSS residential housing programs.

After living in HSS housing with a roommate, she was able to move into an apartment by herself. She now resides in her very own home, just as she always hoped.

These days, when Rosita is not working a shift at the nursing home or visiting with her family in Valmeyer, she is often seen riding around town on her bicycle. Her smile says it all – she is happy.

Not only did HSS help Rosita meet her goals, but her parents’ goals as well. While there are still occasional struggles and obstacles to overcome, Rosita’s parents have peace of mind that she is living up to her full potential and pursuing her dreams.