Overcoming Obstacles
"I was dead. The doctor told me that I had no pulse..."
Mr. C.
Mr. C has been a consumer with Habilitative Systems, for several years. With the support of the HSI staff, his pastor and a family member, he has overcome multiple challenges in his life, including housing and personal issues. He started out in the Wesley Workshop as a production aide trainee and was later referred to the Supportive Employment Program. It was soon discovered that Mr. C would an excellent candidate for the Janitorial program. He was referred and accepted into the program where he remained until his recent employment. Mr. C is an excellent worker, has great attendance and works with minimal supervision. He is very independent, has his own apartment and is a self-traveler. Before finding employment this year, Mr. C was enrolled in and excelled at a local adult literacy class. Beyond this education, Mr. C was employed in the community. In July, he interviewed and was offered a food service position with a Goodwill organization site that he accepted. Proud of his Goodwill uniform, Mr. C came into the SEP office to show it off every day for two weeks.
Mr. C is greatly enjoying his new position, calling often to update the staff regarding his progress there. He also provides support to another consumer that works at Great Lakes and rides the bus with her in the evening. When asked about his job, Mr. C says that he loves it and is going to keep this job until he retires.
Mr. P.
Mr. P was admitted into Emergency Housing and Behavioral Health Case Management. He had been homeless for over a year since he lost his last job. That spring he had been diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia. He was experiencing several other medical problems and also admitted to cocaine use.
During his stay at Emergency Housing he successfully underwent the process to begin receiving his monthly Social Security Benefits, medical and Link card benefits through Public Aid and a reduced fare permit through RTA. Mr. P was then able to successfully move out to his own into an affordable housing unit on the south side of Chicago, as well as obtain his own vehicle for transportation. He recently graduated from a computer class on the south side. He continues to receive support from staff at Habilitative Systems since leaving in 2008. Mr. P maintains his medication for his mental illness and has not had any hospitalizations since receiving services at HSI. Most impressively, he has remained clean and sober since entering into HSI’s programs.
Ms. Q
Ms. Q was an 18-year-old mother of two. The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) referred her to Teen Parent Services (TPS). She was enrolled in a GED class and required additional assistance. Ms. Q tried twice to pass her test, but was unsuccessful in doing so.
As time progressed, Ms. Q was approaching age-based ineligibility for TPS, and IDHS wanted her case returned to the local office. TPS advocated for this young mom to remain with the program for six additional months. Ms. Q, TPS and IDHS agreed to do the best that they could to ensure she passed the GED the next time. As part of the agreement Ms. Q had to complete the IDHS requirement of job readiness or job search. Ms. Q found a job and TPS found tutoring for her.
Her career goal was to become a nurse. She wanted to attend a medical assistant program while trying to obtain her GED. TPS enrolled her in medical assistance training and education while working toward obtaining her GED. With much hard work, Ms. Q did pass her test on the 3rd attempt. Ms. Q has since left the program, with a GED and on the right path to obtain her career goal. Ms. Q is now a working mom and still in pursuit of a brighter future for her family.
Mr. B
Mr. B was enrolled into the Links to Learning Program due to severe behavioral, emotional and academic issues. He was unable to focus in the classroom or complete assignments, which led to poor grades. B was not able to read or write and often distracted the other students. B was present in the classroom, but seemed to be in a space of his own where he only did what he wanted to without regard to the teacher’s instructions. He couldn’t seem to follow instructions, which led his teacher to belief that he had a mild form of autism. At home, B’s mother wasn’t sure how to handle him. She reported that his father suffered from schizophrenia and had extreme outburst at times, which may have contributed to B’s current condition.
After careful and thorough assessment of B’s needs, his appointed case manager, was able to help create a treatment plan and course of action based on the modules for the Links to Learning program to eradicate B’s negative patterns at home as well as school. Initially, B was not very willing to work with the team appointed to assist him. With the help of both his teachers and mother, B’s transition into the Links Program became easier. He became adjusted to the new strategies being used in the classroom, which included a Good Behavior Game and The Daily Report Card. B also began one-on-one sessions with his assigned Parent Advocate.
Over time, B’s mother learned many techniques that she could use at home to help him with his behavior. B’s mother learned how to successfully advocate for B’s services at school and obtained a classroom aide that gave him the attention he needed to overcome his learning difficulties.
In school, B’s case manager and parent advocate encouraged him to work hard. B went from having behavioral issues in class to not showing any problem behaviors at all. He went from displaying signs of resistance, to showing that he was able to learn anything introduced to him. Because of the support around him, B was able to fully participate positively in class, answering questions and even helping other students.
Mr. B was able to leave the program successfully recovered and on target for resilience four months before his targeted time to end the program. B left more outspoken, able to read and without any behavioral issues. He also improved his self-esteem, determination and leadership abilities. B, once lost, was now found.
Ms T.
Ms. T
Ms. T, a fourteen-year-old African American female was devoted to her family’s needs. She would take care of her five younger siblings full time because of her mother’s substance abuse concerns. As a result of the additional pressure that she had to endure, Ms. T had a breakdown and was admitted to Hartgrove Hospital.
Fortunately, Ms. T later became involved in the Positive Choices Workshops at a local high school and over time started to see herself differently. The goal of the Positive Choices Workshop is to encourage the student to adopt a lifestyle free from high-risk behavior, including the avoidance of substance use, violence, and premature and unhealthy sexual activity. These workshops focus on four qualities that have the greatest impact in a young person’s ability to maintain healthy behaviors:
- Recognition that problem behaviors are uncommon and unacceptable to the peer group.
- A deep belief that problem behavior does not fit with personal ideals and lifestyles.
- A personal commitment to avoid participating in high- risk behaviors.
- A sense of attachment and belonging to positive friendship groups and social institutions.
When asked who the leader in her community or school was, Ms. T soon realized it was she. This led her to develop personal goals, seeking not only to help herself but also to show others positive leadership. She graduated from summer school, changing her history of chronic truancy and received a certificate in recognition of her grade point average, the highest GPA in Math and English during the summer school session.
In her own words, "The Positive Choices Program was a real awakening experience, once I found out that I was the one in control of my life".