Survival to success - Father Joe's Villages

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8 Village News, spring 2008 Proud to be an American By Patricia M. walsh America’s 26th president had a saying: “Do what you can with what you have where you are.” Teddy Roosevelt would certainly be proud of Village resident Ali E., a native of Morocco, who obtained his American citizenship by using the resource room in the Career & Education Center. After 16 years of living in the U.S. on a green card status, Ali came to the Village after a failed relationship, “some bad decisions” and an arrest. “I was alone and thought the whole world was against me, and I was unwanted,” says the 43-yearold, his text-book English broken only by a stutter. “I was so disheartened.” Expecting a meal and a bed at Village, Ali got more than he bargained for. “I was surprised at the magnitude of the Village. It was more than room and board,” he says. “It was ‘yes you can!’ It was the resource room, without which I couldn’t have done it – the fax, computer, a phone. It wasn’t easy – there were obstacles. But I kept trying.” Ali, who turned out in a French blue shirt, jacket and patriotic tie to discuss his journey and success, acknowledges Case Manager Julio Barajas’ influence and guidance: “He said, ‘Yes you can, yes you can.’ And I thought … well … maybe I can.” Ali expects to be at the Village another year as he continues working through the programs that are part of the Village’s Bridges to Independence continuum of care – adult education, job-seeking skills and computer classes. “I got a taste of success,” Ali says. “And I want more.” Recovery Services helps Nicole finds her true source of power By Nicole a. Success Stories FAST In my addiction my choices were very limited. My addiction decided what I would do, where I went, who I hung with and how I would act. Along with that came a prison sentence. I want more control over my life, not less, no matter what situation I’m in. Thinking of myself as powerless always has felt threatening and uncomfortable. Through Recovery Services at the Village it was a turning point for me when I admitted my powerlessness over my addiction. I freed myself to focus all that attention to areas where I did have control. That is when I discovered my true source of power as I put less energy into controlling other people and the events around me. I invested more energy into taking Nicole a. Village NeWS emily Velez-Confer care of myself. I started to take responsibility for my own wellbeing as well as responsibility for my son, Andrew. In doing this I have learned to control my anger. I have more patience with him. The bond that we have has made me a stronger person. I am empowered when I look inside myself today. I like to ask myself, “What do I think? What do I feel? What are my options?” With these three questions I’m figuring out what is true for me. If I was to ask you what power means to you, where you have power in your life, and where does that power come from, what would you say? Nicole A. and her son are residents at St. Vincent de Paul Village. FACTS ali e. obtained his american citizenship using the resource room in the Career & education Center. I would like you to know that my progress in life is going very well. I would also like you to know that my children are doing great! Everybody is busy, going to school, doing house chores, just pitching as a family. I am expecting our new addition any day now. I made a year at my job and received a 50-cent raise. Everything is well. My family and I are truly blessed. Thank you for being supportive. Mehemiah B. I am still successful after leaving the Village. It’s been over a year now. I’m happy to say I have a car, an apartment and a job, still. All thanks to God, Father Joe and the St. Vincent de Paul Village staff. Thank you all for my continued success. Angela H. My daughter and I were living at St. Vincent de Paul Village last Through Bridges to independence, Father Joe’s Villages unique continuum of care, individuals attend ‘The University of the Human spirit’ where they receive the tools they need to regain their lives and become productive, self-sufficient members of society. Mail bag Editor’s note: The dedicated program staff of St. Vincent de Paul Village provides a continuum of care that gives our neighbors in need the tools they need to regain their lives. After they graduate, former residents write to keep in touch with their case managers. Here are their success stories. year. We entered in May 2005 and moved out November 2007. I am still working for Heritage Private Security. I’ve been working for this company for two years. It is full-time plus hours. It feels great having our own place. I have more time for my daughter, friends, family and myself. Before going to work, I get ready, double-check my uniform, walk downstairs and grab my sack lunch. I have to pay rent, bills, and buy groceries. I have to budget my money even more. I learned a lot while staying at the Village and had beautiful people helping us. I will continue working and live life to the fullest. Perla I have a genuine interest in my job. I enjoy the work. This of course takes up 50 hours, Monday through Friday with 2 1/2 hours travel time per day. I am at ease with my home Village NeWS Patricia M. Walsh and enjoy reading, the music, and creative endeavors. I am fortunate because my rent for 2008 will remain the same and my rental agreement was completed in mid-September. Elizabeth C. Again thanks to all who made my stay at St. Vincent de Paul a great experience. I’ve been working at NASCO for two years. I got my own apartment; I go to school twice a week. Thanks to all the staff and programs offered. Sal M. I’m thankful that there is a program that is able to provide people with so much and that so many people complete successfully. I am thankful that I was given a place to stay while I waited for my SSI benefits to be granted. I was also grateful to have a place that I could receive medical treatment. The Village allowed me to obtain everything that I needed. Fr. Joe has a gift for determining what people really need. I now have permanent income and I am living in my own apartment. I am very grateful for the program. Phillip
Fresh Start Journal Excerpts Editor’s note: In the Career & Education Center at St. Vincent de Paul Village residents put pencil to paper to share their thoughts and ideas through stories, poems and art, which are published in the Fresh Start Journal. Here are some excerpts from the most recent issue: Dare To By Patricia C. Dare to dream Dare to live Dare to love Dare to give Of all these things in life to share can you, will you take a chance? To Dare? To dream is to make things become real To live is to make life an ongoing thrill To love is what is right To give is such a delight Dare to dream Dare to live Dare to share Dare to give Of all these things In life to share can you, will you Take a chance, to Dare? I pushed my noisy shopping cart across the huge stadium parking lot, its metallic rattle sounded into the cold night air. The wind sang and the night sky grew darker, as the rain clouds chased the stars away. Soon raindrops began to dot the asphalt, each one briefly reflecting the dim lights that stood atop the tall metal poles in the parking lot. At this moment I was as cold as my environment, mumbling to myself in frustration and self-pity. My search for shelter was my only priority so I headed to the underpass. I began to recall some of the many bad decisions which led me to this night of total depression, anger, and isolation. I scolded myself for all the money I’ve wasted on drugs and alcohol. I shook my head with finality wishing I were dead. But I continued pushing my shopping cart, laden with all my worldly possessions and cursing the wobbly left front wheel. I thought of how much I missed my family and those “get-togethers.” I recalled the laughs we would have as we dusted off the old family album and gazed at how skinny we used to be as kids. I cringed at how I misused my family’s trust and when my mother shed her tears from the pain I caused her. I remembered past loves that I deceived and how I callously used their The Man Under The Bridge By Robert w. Homeless Phyllis B. Run in circles. Wait in lines. Pray for miracles. Look for signs. A mother’s dream, No food, no table. A child’s scream, Willing, not able. 1, 2, 3, - 10 carts in a row. St. Vinnie’s is serving. Moms, Dads, and Moes, With kids in tow. Rich kids in the kitchen, Come see the poor. They’re so bitchen, They get more. own love against them. I wanted to cry, but my anger wouldn’t release the tears; I pushed on. I suddenly became very tired as I maneuvered my cart across the trolley tracks and the cold gray bridge came into view. I became tired of my selfinflicted torture, and I realized I needed somewhere to clear my mind, clean my body and ease my soul. If I didn’t, I knew I would die on an unforgiving sidewalk under that bridge. This was the day I understood I needed to make a change. A change in my lifestyle that I knew wouldn’t be easy, and in a way, still isn’t. Old habits are hard to break, but possible. My daily choices must be different than in the past. I must practice a new way of thinking and allow myself time to heal. I can honestly say today, by just allowing a few good people into my life, things are different. The struggle is still there, if it weren’t, there wouldn’t have been a problem. Today I am grateful; pleased about knowing who I am. I also realize and understand that there will be moments when I have to face those mistakes of the past, they won’t just go away, but neither will I. This is not my first time living in the Village, but it is the first time I feel “real” and that I do have a future. Thank you, St. Vincent de Paul Village. By Patricia M. walsh What little space there is in Recovery Counselor Jon Lutack’s office quickly disappears when Brian and Edward show up. It’s not just their broad-shouldered athletic frames that shrink the room; their energy and vitality charge the air. Like everyone who has ever had their photo taken, Brian and Edward tense up when they see the camera. Wanting to capture their more natural, confident demeanor, the photographer suggests that they think of whatever makes them happy. Jon repeats what the photographer said to Brian, who is deaf but reads lips and signs. Brian turns to Edward, who is also deaf and does not read lips, to sign the message. Instantly and in unison all three say and sign The Serenity Prayer. “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.” Smiling, they slap each other on the back and embrace in big-men bear hugs. The forgotten camera captures them in a more relaxed moment. Brian, 41, and Edward, 36, are special needs residents at St. Vincent de Paul Village. In addition to being homeless, both are deaf and in substance abuse recovery. Both attend City College. Brian and Edward met at Alcoholics Anonymous before coming to St. Vincent de Paul Village, where they have become a support system for each other and an inspiration for Lutack. “Their determination is so powerful and they Village News, spring 2008 9 Success Stories Village NeWS Patricia M. Walsh Recovery Counselor Jon lutack, center, with Village residents, Brian M., left, and edward V., both of whom are deaf. Mutual inspiration bring so much to the Village. They are like a bolt of energy,” Lutack says. “They are leaders.” Spreading his hands as he signs, Brian makes strong eye contact and says, “My path has widened here. I know who I am. I am an addict. Recovery enables me to keep me out of myself.” Homeless and living “ Their determination is so powerful and they bring so much to the Village. Jon Lutack, recovery counselor in a van before coming to the Village, Brian now says he looks forward to having his own place and giving back to others. Today he’s active in AA, Narcotics Anonymous and Signs of Life, a recovery program that serves the deaf and hard-of-hearing community in San Diego. Confident and articulate, he beams with pride and says, “I’m two years sober. I’ve never before been sober for more than seven months.” Edward, also active in Signs of Life and AA, joins the conversation and signs that he would be on the street without the Village. He looks forward to being an elementary school teacher. “This program keeps us on our toes. They offer success,” he says. “If everybody else can do it, why can’t we?” As Brian and Edward bound out the building, Lutack thanks them for sharing their stories and tells them, “You are giants.” After they’re gone Lutack continues the story for them and tells of how Brian is a greeter at AA meetings. “There are men who go to meetings for 10 years and can’t welcome people. There is nothing these two are not willing to do.”
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