Joseph

“Joseph” was removed from his biological family at age 5 after claims of abuse against him were substantiated. Joseph was adopted a short time later but suffered the loss of his adoptive mother at age 11. Life continued to be difficult for Joseph as he had many behavioral issues as a child and even ended up in trouble with the law.

 

Joseph spent several years living in mental treatment homes. Eventually he began making great strides to improve his behavior and his relationship with his father. Joseph remained in the treatment home until he completed high school. Joseph received several awards at his high school graduation, including Student of the Year, the Citizenship award and Most Improved Academics.

 

Although Joseph has suffered some set-backs, he is currently managing his depression successfully. The team has been able to advocate for monthly check-ins at an area mental health clinic to ensure that Joseph’s medication is appropriate and effective and plans include his transition from the treatment home to an Independent Living Program.

 

Joseph is currently attending Lincoln Tech where he is learning the skills to become an auto mechanic. He continues to maintain positive relationships with his father and treatment home parents.

 

A true story from Mercer County Behavioral Health, Mercer, PA

Jason

“This place saved my life,” says “Jason,” who recently moved into an affordable housing complex after being homeless for seven years.

 

Catholic Charities provides case management for clients who live at the complex, which is a collaborative effort by the city and Charities Housing Development Corporation.

 

Jason has spent most of his life in the same area, including the years he lived on the streets. He had been working as a letter carrier before his second marriage ended with the loss of his home, job, and retirement fund. After that, he lost contact with his daughter from his first marriage and sank into depression that he tried to ease with alcohol.

 

“Being at this place has psychologically improved my outlook,” he says of his new home. “The air of futility and desolation is gone. I can get up and look forward to the day.”

 

Jason has found the support he needs at the complex and even works at the front desk five days a week. His Catholic Charities case manager connects clients like Jason to services like job skills training, mental health services, and rental assistance.

 

“This was such a positive change,” Jason says. “I’ve reconnected with my daughter and spent time with my four-month-old granddaughter. I’m good.”

 

A true story from Catholic Charities, San Jose, CA

Nola

Nola has been affected by depression since she was nine.  She was tormented with thoughts of suicide and would often mutilate herself.  By the time Nola first sought help from the Excel Group, “a day didn’t go by that I wasn’t suicidal and popping pills,” she said.

She was constantly depressed and had very low self esteem.  Nola felt worthless and wallowed in self pity.  She finally hit bottom before life she was able to turn her life around.

It was through her own efforts and the commitment of the staff at Excel that she finally was able to change her life for the better.  Nola wanted a fulfilling life and to be a better person.  Nola made the commitment to change and started feeling happy.  She was able to develop meaningful and rewarding relationships with other people.  She felt on top of the world.

However, these feelings did not last as Nola fell back into her old habits when life got rough.  She learned that neither the highs nor the lows last forever.  She was able to overcome these struggles and continue to press on.  She was able to deal with her life’s high and lows and become a stronger person.

Now, when Nola does not have the courage to do something, she says to herself, “I give myself permission.”  These words give her a stepping stone to move forward.  She has learned how to overcome barricades in life and get up and move on after she stumbles.  Nola refuses to stay down and works hard to overcome life’s challenges.

Nola has learned to believe in herself and realizes that she is “somebody.”  A few years ago she wrote a poem called, “You Said.”  She wrote it during a moment of self-examination and to realize how far she has come and how strong she is. 


Nola received a lot of help from Excel and now works part time there as a Peer Support Specialist.  She uses her experiences to help others overcome similar obstacles.  Working at Excel has also aided her recovery and will no doubt aid the recovery of those she helps.

A true story from Nola, Yuma, AZ