After meeting weekly for some time, Steph shared with Brenda some parts of her journey. Something that for some folks is not always easy. Steph shared her time when overnight shelter was a mall parking lot. How the kind security would wake her up in the mornings and she would go to the nearest business to clean up and “cop a squat” at local restaurant booth to figure out what she would do for the rest of the day. This was Steph’s every day for a period of time. An eviction and substance use were barriers that Steph faced and she had filed away in her mind, yet knew she had to make a choice. Her RSA, Brenda, realized this was a very difficult time in her life, as it was not only emotional, but took her some time to share.
After approximately 2 years at the nursing facility, The Grove of Berwyn, Steph was set to transition back into the community via Association House and later referred to NAMI Chicago’s In Home Recovery Program (IHRS) for peer support. The IHRS program normally runs for 12 months, however, Steph accomplished to graduate from the program in 6 months. Proving to herself that she did in fact “got it and wanted it”. Meeting weekly with her RSA, they worked on multiple goals. Steph not only gained greater confidence in herself, met some new people in her community, but was also a light and inspiration to NAMI’s social circles. Post graduation, Steph reached out to her RSA, Brenda, to be a job reference. Steph not only got the job with Access living, but she also later updated Brenda, that she was promoted as the Survivors of Gun Violence Coordinator and prepping to obtain her CRSS (Certified Recovery Support Specialist). “Life was good, but it has gotten so much better. I knew everything came down to choice. How hard is that? Very because you can’t blame anyone when it goes wrong. I was given rental assistance, SNAP, Medicaid, to help align things and it helps, but nobody heals you better than you heal yourself.” was one of the last statements shared with her former RSA.
Steph is thankful for the support she received from the state along with her transition team and programs like NAMI In Home Recovery Support. An inspiration that recovery is possible.