The Good Work That We Do

Daniel Jones, AHM Good Work! Job Developer/Case Manager

During the course of my time here there have been a few clients who have really shown through or who are currently working towards success. One of my clients, whom I will refer to as J, came to me several months back to get involved with the Good Work employment program. During this time, I discovered that he not only had issues with depression but that he had a record that was holding him back from getting employed in the field of his choice.

Through hard work and dedication, we built his confidence up, we provided him supportive services and we got him the appropriate referral information to overcome his depression and his background. Now he is happily employed in a career field that suits him and life is going well. Another one of my clients, whom I will call R, had a history of drug abuse and alcoholism and he desperately needed guidance and reassurance. We again spent a large amount of time helping with his needs, building his confidence up and helping him find employment. Now he is gainfully employed also and working in a field that he enjoys and that utilizes his talents.

It is stories like these that really put it all together for us here at Advent House Ministries. At the end of the day, no matter how hard things become or how rough our week has been, it is watching our clients succeed that gives us joy and brings us a sense of satisfaction. So to that end I would like to thank every one of our clients, who work tirelessly with us to become successfully employed and who are patient while we assist them with their employment needs.

A Gracious & Grateful Mom

By Patricia Cummings, AHM Board At Large

Since September, Tonya, a single mom with nine children, ages 13 - 4, has been housed in an Advent House shelter home. She had never been homeless prior to this time. Tonya worked as a home health care aide. Really hard times hit when the two clients she served had to move - one to a hospital and the other to California. The money she received from child support was not enough to cover the rent. She and her kids were placed temporarily in a hotel by the American Red Cross and then referred to Advent House.

Advent House is committed to working with Tonya and her family until she can obtain more permanent housing. In the meantime she feels very blessed with the shelter home in which they live. It has four bedrooms and one and one half baths—Tonya says it is very comfortable. She will be attending Work First sessions through the Department of Human Services and the Advent House Good Work! Employment Program.

Tonya has high standards of cleanliness and is thinking of starting a cleaning or janitorial service and/or becoming an advocate for teenage mothers. In a short time her youngest children, four year old twins, will be going to day care all day which will allow her to get back to work. Tonya’s graciousness and gratitude are very attractive parts of her personality. Susan Cancro, Executive Director of Advent House, says, “Tonya is a great mom who really enjoys being with her kids. All the children are doing very well!”

We are pleased to be able to help Tonya through this tough time and a special thanks to each of our donors who make it all possible.

One Set of Keys: A New Life

By Susan Cancro, Executive Director

The big man with tears in his eyes and an amazed smile on his face was standing in the tidy kitchen of his own apartment. In his hand were the keys to his new life, the keys to this ordinary space—in his eyes, a piece of heaven. He had been homeless for so long he’d never dared to dream of having his own space to call home. On this day his life changed. “Thank you, thank you! You are a blessing in my life. This means so much…” he said.

We respond, “You worked toward this day. You took the opportunity to apply for this program and build the skills you needed to make it a success. This is a big step and you have the courage to do it. You did it; we’re here to help you.”

Two days later, I received a phone call from another gentleman, whose lease had been signed the day before. “I never came by Advent House yesterday like I said I would,” he told me regretfully. “But I went to my apartment and lay down and went to sleep right away. When I woke up it was late! It was so quiet and nice and it was my place! I never had that before…”

When we started the Tenant Based Rental Assistance Program in 2006 to help single homeless adults become housed, I knew the program would have dramatic impact. I didn’t appreciate the depth of that impact. The lives of those in the program have been profoundly changed. Walking with them through this change has had a profound effect on all of us at Advent House Ministries.

I will never again say, “That person is unlikely to make it. Their problems are too great.” I’ve been reminded of all that I don’t know and understand; of the tremendous power of God through the human spirit. Yes, people have fallen out of the program, succumbed to problems they were unwilling to address and solve. But they are the few. In the last two years, 43 persons have been assisted through this program. Of these, 10 have gained permanent vouchers and income; 24 are working toward stability, including obtaining permanent employment or disability assistance; only the remaining 10 no longer have their vouchers but are eligible to re-enter the program if assisted.

This is success in the face of great odds. The prayers of all—participants, staff, and supporters—will bring us all home!