Client Success Stories
Vicki, a mother of three, was referred to the Family Services Transitional Assistance Program (TAP) by the Crisis Clinic Community Information line after her husband left her and she was unable to sustain her housing due to lack of income. Vicki suffers from several chronic and debilitating medical conditions and also has a history of mental health problems. She found herself homeless and unable to secure space in a family shelter. She was struggling to negotiate the social service system and although she had a Section 8 voucher, she had been unable to locate housing.
When she entered the TAP she was frustrated, anxious, depressed and feeling overwhelmed and powerless. The caseworker provided much needed emotional support and encouragement while completing a thorough assessment of Vicki’s needs and strengths. The caseworker and Vicki then developed a service plan that included emergency motel vouchers and food vouchers provided by TAP, as well as referrals for mental health counseling, and legal help around the custody of her children. Vicki was then connected with DSHS to apply for a TANF grant to help support her family financially. During the next three weeks the caseworker housed the family in a motel and met with Vicki on a regular basis to assess the situation and help Vicki address the barriers to housing. With the assistance of her caseworker, Vicki actively looked for housing and finally located an apartment. The TAP caseworker worked with the Seattle Housing Authority, used program funds to pay for the credit check, advocated with the landlord, and assisted Vicki with the move-in costs by providing the security deposit through Mutual Interest funds.
After Vicki and her family were housed, the TAP caseworker talked to her about the need for on-going support. Vicki agreed that because of her recent struggles, she could benefit from some further case management. The TAP caseworker then linked her to a case coordinator at Resident Choices, another Family Services program. This program provides on-going case management to help recently homeless families living in subsidized housing prevent eviction, while achieving and maintaining self-sufficiency. Vicki has been very appreciative of this extra support, which is provided in-home. Vicki will continue to receive this assistance for 6-8 months as she develops her ability to be self-sufficient and maintain her housing.
Sam came to our Men’s Domestic Violence Intervention Program after being convicted of assaulting his wife. At first, he told counselors and other group members how much he loved his family and did not want to hurt them. However, when his wife did something that angered him, he saw no choice but to use violence to change her behavior. He felt that if only his wife would change her behavior, then he would not hit her.
"So your way is the only way, and you have to hit to get it?" a group member asked. A therapist then questioned, "It’s ok for your wife to be afraid of you? What about your kids?" Sam said that he was careful never to hit his wife in front of his son or daughter, and that they did not know there was any violence at home.
"They know. I ALWAYS knew when my dad was hitting my mom — my brother and I hid under the bed and we could hear everything," another group member said quietly.
Sam blurted out, "My sister and I used to hide under the bed too!" This realization was the beginning of Sam’s awareness of the damage domestic violence was doing to his family. It was also the beginning of a lengthy process resulting in a fundamental change in his behavior and beliefs.
Eighteen months later, Sam completed the program. His wife reported, "He’s more respectful to me and he’s more open about showing our kids he cares for them. He talks to all of us with a softer tone and tries to explain things to our children in a simpler way — more at their level."
At his last meeting, Sam told the group, "I know I will have to keep working on my issues every day. But I learned that no matter what happens, I don’t have to choose violence. I am not proud of how I was with my family, but I am proud of what I have accomplished."
A 39 year-old, single Caucasian woman, "Jane" came to counseling with a history of depression, anger, poor self-esteem and anxiety. She said that she had been feeling this way for "as long as I can remember."
Her history revealed a childhood of emotional neglect and abandonment by both her parents during their marriage and increasingly after their divorce when Jane was 7 years old. Jane had significant difficulty in maintaining relationships with men and women. Her friendships with women were superficial and competitive and her relationships with men were untrusting and emotionally abusive. She had never married but very much wanted a husband and children.
After 2 years of therapy, her life now consists of more meaningful friendships with women and more awareness of the effects of her childhood on her past partner choices. She ended a 3-year emotionally abusive relationship with a man and is more aware of what constitutes a healthy relationship. Her progress has been steady.