Walking Along Side to Enable Success
Tanya joined the 4th Day program in the fall of 2004. At that time, she and her three small children were staying in a homeless shelter in Minneapolis. Feeling overwhelmed and depressed, Tanya voluntarily agreed to participate in the 4th Day program to help her connect with community resources and to get the support she needed to feel more successful in her role as a parent. Tanya and her Field Manager worked together to identify the issues in her life that led to crisis and develop goals to increase family stability for her and her children.
The goals Tanya established were to secure housing, find employment, obtain childcare for her children, earn her GED and enroll her oldest child in school. After working with Tanya to define her goals and objectives, her Field Manager provided detailed information about agencies and programs in the community that could help her achieve her goals. Because Tanya was suffering from anxiety and depression during this time, she needed consistent encouragement and support to contact and follow-up with the various agencies and services.
Early on, Tanya was able to secure housing through a transitional housing program. She enrolled her oldest child in an elementary school nearby, and was able to find a local food shelf program in her community. Tanya found a part-time job that enabled her to complete her GED program, and also enrolled her two younger children in an early childhood education program.
With help from her Field Manager, Tanya was able to accomplish all of the goals on her action plan. In the face of numerous concurrent challenges, Tanya overcame many obstacles and worked hard to regain a sense of security and stability for her family. Recently, Tanya contacted her Field Manager to update her. With an unabashed sense of pride and enthusiasm, she reported that she is now working full time at a community center for people who are developmentally-disabled. Tanya's housing situation has stabilized and she has maintained a lease for over a year. Tanya is proud that she is on a waiting list for public housing, and stated that her children are thriving in their educational settings. Tanya now feels successful as a parent.
2004-2005 4th Day Program Accomplishments
Families served: 46
Parents finding child care or preschool programs: 12
Families obtaining medical care or insurance: 26
Families obtaining mental health services: 21
Parents finding jobs: 22
Parents acquiring furniture: 28
Families finding housing: 14
Parents entering educational programs: 5
|
