Success Stories

Jason, newly released from incarceration, had no stable housing, no job and hadn't received care for his schizophrenia for nearly a year.  He was highly symptomatic, unkempt and distrustful of others.  As one caseworker put it, he was "a mess."

At Hopewell, Jason received the intensive support he desperately needed.  He was assigned a community support worker (CSW) who helped him find housing at a group home.  Adjusting to living with others was a real struggle for Jason.  For months, his CSW visited Jason four times a week, helping him work through issues--both real and imagined--that went with his disorder and group living.

At the same time, Jason began seeing a Hopewell psychiatrist once a week and was monitored to ensure he took the medication he needs.  Being able to get his medication from Hopewell's on-site pharmacy was a blessing.

Jason attended Hopewell's day program, learning a range of needed skills from personal hygiene to how to prepare simple meals.  He grew to enjoy the company of other Hopewell clients.  In time and with encouragement of his therapist and CSW, he was ready to participate in a state-sponsored vocational training program.

His CSW spent a month riding Metro buses with Jason so that he could learn the routes and procedures.  It was a struggle for him because of his low literacy skills.  Through his CSW's dogged  assistance, however, he mastered his "bus training" so that he could reach his next treatment plan goal: a real job.

Jason is a far cry from the "mess" he was when he was first referred to Hopewell.

He enjoys socializing with others.  He keeps himself neatly groomed.  And, most importantly in his eyes, he has that real job.  Jason works part-time as a prep cook at a fast-food restaurant.  He has to take the bus to get there for his early shift, but he's always on time.  Four times a week after work, he takes two other buses to Hopewell to join his friends at the day program.

Jason is doing a good job managing his budget and has taken responsibility for buying his own bus tickets.