Services and Partnerships Build Back a Stable Life
Supportive housing specialists in our Foundational Community Supports (FCS) program shared a story on Angela (pictured with her children), who was involved in the criminal legal system and is now in recovery. Angela is also a domestic abuse survivor and now a responsible mother.
In addition to Pioneer’s own housing and employment services, we offer supportive services in these areas for anyone who is Medicaid-eligible through our FCS program. The FCS program is a part of our Community Integrations division.
Shelly Miller, FCS supportive housing specialist - regional lead, stated, “I am beyond proud of how far Angela has come in her time in this program. I have witnessed her transformation from being a broken and fearful woman who had been beaten down by severe addiction, chronic homelessness and involvement in the criminal justice and child protective service systems - into becoming such a strong, confident mother of her children. She is now a clean and sober parent providing her children with an amazing loving and stable home and is focused on their well-being and developmental needs.”
Steve James, FCS supportive housing specialist (pictured holding one of Angela's children) shared, “For the past couple of years I have worked with Angela - ever since she moved from living in the Oxford House. I have had the opportunity to walk alongside her through her journey in recovery. Angela has had some adversities that she has had to overcome, but she was able to rise above them and grow stronger.”
Steve was able to refer Angela to the Samish Indian Nation to help her get the job skills and training she needs to be able to obtain adequate employment to provide for her family. Steve continued, “Angela has blossomed with the help she has received and is looking forward to her future. It has been my pleasure to be a part of her journey.”
Angela shared that she is currently looking into funding to go to floral design school. She said, “Steve helped me with everything and I am okay with others knowing about how amazing he is.”
Angela has recently begun to pursue her education and career goals with the help and support of Samish Indian Nation’s Tribal Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) program. She is feeling very excited and optimistic about the program and shared that she is getting a lot out of her DVR involvement through the Samish Nation.
The DVR is a culturally appropriate Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation program that provides services to American Indians/Alaskan Natives with disabilities who reside in the Samish Indian Nation’s service delivery area, consistent with their individual strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities and informed choices. The program prepares clients to engage in gainful employment including: self-employment, telecommuting, and business ownership.
Shelly Miller added, “Angela continues to work hard to be committed to her goals of remaining clean and free of drugs and criminal justice involvement. Her focus is now on being the best possible mother and provider to her children. Angela continually reports her gratitude for the life she has today and for the assistance she has received from supportive housing specialist, Steve James, and the Community Behavioral Health Rental Assistance Program (CBRA) for rental assistance.”
“I feel incredibly blessed to have been able to watch this transformation process take place and look forward to seeing where Angela’s hard work and commitment to her goals take her and her family next,” said Shelly.
Jennifer McPherson, director of Community Integrations, concluded, “What an amazing journey! Angela has really come so far since our team first met her! I am so happy for her and proud of our team including Steve and Shelly who have been such strong advocates for her success and supportive of all her changes with CBRA and her needs over the past couple years. It takes a community!”