What a week!

Whew! This week was something else. I fear I barely survived. But, I guess I can at least say I did. I work with participants who, when they first enter the program are homeless, have past or current addiction activity and who are case managed by our regional behavioral health authority. The first thing I,or another recovery coach who is given the new participant do, is to find them a halfway house to stay in for 9 weeks while they are in intense outpatient counseling with other peers. Then we work on meeting whatever basic needs they may currently have. When they are through with that 9 weeks it's time to help them find an apartment of their choice. This isn't easy sometimes as many af the participants have evictions and other challenges in their past. Then there is getting them signed up for classes..6 hours a week worth along with the 2 days a week they are now required to attend aftercare group. The end hope and result for these participants is to help them to become self-sufficient within a year. We do, however, believe and understand that everyone recovers at his or her own pace. We always meet the person where they're at. And we respect choice. It really is an awesome job and I am blessed to say that I am a peer just like they are..just a little further ahead in my recovery. It is a beautiful thing to watch each of my peers blossom and grow..very rewarding! On Wednesday this week we were given some sad news. The dreaded economy and ensuing budget cuts. The people at the top took salary cuts, a few people were laid off, a couple people were demoted and some part-timers lost a few hours per week. I am one of the fortunate ones..I retained my job position and my hours. Since I am going to allow this to go to my legislators, I want to say this, "Please consider all we do and how little monetary compensation we do it for and just know that we are taking care of some of this states residents, therefore we need you to pay close attention to what you do with our tax dollars and our stipend from the US Government. Don't cheat these people out of what we are trying to do to make things better for them and in our community." Thank you!