Success Stories

Karen was living in a homeless shelter with her three children.  She abused alcohol and wasn't on proper medication for her bipolar disorder.  She was severely depressed and often suicidal.  She knew that she should do a better job providing for her children, but she couldn't see a way out of her situation.

In her unstable state, Karen didn't have the energy to get her children to school.  She drew further into herself and drew her children in with her.  Eventually, through the work of various agencies, Karen was referred to Hopewell Center.

Karen's Hopewell psychiatrist got her on the medication she needed to keep her disorder at bay.  Her weekly visits with him helped her move past her feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.

Hopewell helped Karen move into a home provided through its community living services.  Her Hopewell community support worker (CSW) visited several times per week at first, helping Karen deal with the pressures of running a household.  With her CSW's help, caring for her children, cooking and cleaning her home gradually became more manageable for Karen. 

Karen's children also began seeing a Hopewell Center therapist to help them deal with their turbulent upbringing. 

Karen and her children continue to live in the Hopewell provided home. The children attend school regularly.  Karen hasn't used alcohol in more than a year.  She sees her psychiatrist at Hopewell weekly and takes the medication she needs. Her Hopewell CSW reports that Karen is working hard to care for her children and is mastering the skills she needs to manage her home and finances.

Karen makes sure her children do their homework and praises their progress, especially at report card time.  The two boys and their sister continue to see a Hopewell therapist regularly and are making good progress in their newly stable lives.

"If it weren't for Hopewell, I'd either be dead or locked up in some mental institution," says Karen.  "Who knows where my children would be."