Success Stories
Success Story #1
Joe came to the FSC with several important goals he wanted to accomplish including finding a new place to live, returning to college, and finding a job. We brainstormed with Joe as he relayed all of his hopes and dreams and created short term and long range goals. Joe said "You mean, you will help me find a place to stay and a job - I won't do this alone?" The Family Partner assured "Joe" that we would do our best and be with him every step of the way.
With support from the center, Joe obtained a job at the airport and could then turn his attention to permanent housing. We worked together with other local FSC’s to assist in the search. It was perfect timing when the City of Newark announced the formation of the Rapid Re-housing Program instituted by the Federal government. Joe achieved his second goal.
Joe came by the Center once every two weeks to check in, receive words of encouragement and go over his development plan. "Joe" was very pleased with his accomplishments thus far and he thanked the Family Success Center constantly for its support.
Due to a freak accident, "Joe's" 2-year-old son died in December 2009. His whole existence revolved around his son. Family Success Center staff attended the funeral and collected a donation on his behalf. We were concerned that "Joe's" determination to finish his mission would diminish; so, the staff worked overtime keeping in touch with him and letting him know we would be there for him.
We are happy to report that "Joe", even though still in pain sustained by the loss, continued on with his plans. He said: "My son is my guardian angel now and I know he would want me to press on, no matter what. Joe also applied to Essex County College to major in Criminal Justice. He will be entering the fall semester of 2010.
Success Story #2
Ms. T came to the Family Success Center in seek of some assistance for her family including employment, food and transportation assistance. At first, due to her shyness and low self esteem, Ms. T would have to be asked questions repeatedly. She was very soft spoken.
In spite of her shyness, she wanted to join the advisory board. For months she attended, but chose not to participate in any of the discussions or event planning. In every meeting she would be called on to introduce herself and tell the board what her passion and mission was for the community. Each time, she passed up the opportunity....until one night...during an advisory board workshop, she spoke.
She introduced herself and spoke about her hidden passion for the community. She began to elaborate on the challenges and barriers she experienced. "During the hard times, she said, I wish I would've had somebody...just one person...that I could've talked to. But...I didn't because I didn't have enough confidence in myself to go and meet people". "It wasn't until I came the the FSC when I realized..I have support and I have a voice”. Ms. T is one of many parents in FSC’s across the state who now take an active role in their centers. She said it would be her mission to find other parents in the community who lacks the self-esteem needed and wants to be involved in the community. One night, during a parent workshop Ms. T said to the group that she hated to leave early but there was another parent waiting for her to attend a function at their childrens' school and "I don't want her to feel alone...because I know the feeling all too well".
Success Story #3
FSC at New Bruswick PRAB
Oscar, a husband and father, is a local taxi cab driver within the city of New Brunswick. While experiencing sudden health challenges with their newborn child, a friend suggested that Oscar and his wife visit one of the Family Support Workers at the Family Success Center. The Family Support worker helped the couple understand how to advocate for their child’s needs and understand how to access support to deal with their language barrier in communicating with the health care system. The staff at the Family Success Center worked with the family to meet their daughters’ needs. Throughout these challenges, Oscar, his wife and other children participated in a variety of services and activities at the Family Success Center. Furthermore, Oscar began to attend the Parent Advisory Board Meetings at the FSC. Within a years’ time, he was elected as the Chair of the Advisory Board. Via his work as a taxi cab driver, he is able to talk to others about the great work of the FSC and introduce new families to the services.
Success Story #4
East Orange Family Success Center
Joan (not her real name) came to the Central and West Wards Family Success Center (CWWFSC) seeking help with attaining 3 important goals:
1. Obtaining her GED.
2. Becoming a better mother and a stronger role model for her family.
3. Finding a job
Joan worked to develop a Family Success Plan to accomplish her goals.
She enrolled in our parent education program where she met other mothers experiencing similar complications in their lives.
Joan then enrolled in a GED prep course and registered to take the GED test; the center assisted her by paying the registration fee. In addition, studying for the test was difficult for Joan and there were times when she felt defeated; encouragement from Center staff and Parenting Class enrollees kept her spirits up. On test day she was nervous but passed with flying colors. Center staff and Joan celebrated her accomplishment with coffee and cake.
Her last hurdle was to find a job. We assisted Joan in identifying appropriate job openings. About a couple of months later Joan landed a job at a local restaurant as an administrative assistant.
Success Story #5
The center received a referral from the Nurse Family Partnership for an expectant African-American woman. The woman was 4 months pregnant. Staff was able to contact the woman and invited her to attend a Mommy & Me Group. Rachel did not have transportation so the program paid for her taxi transport to and from the center each time she attended a program. Over the next several months Rachel regularly attended the Parent Circle, Breast Feeding Class, and Reading is Fundamental Groups. She and her fiancée attended the four part Prenatal Workshop for expectant parents.
The center was able to assist the family with some basic baby needs. Mom won an infant car seat during a raffle at the prenatal group. A crib was provided to Mom through The Safe Sleep Program and Mom was instructed on proper sleeping positions for infants. After Rachel gave birth to a full term baby she called the center staff. She reported that Baby Girl Hope weighed 7 lbs 4 oz. She stated that she and the baby’s father were so grateful for everything they learned at the center to prepare them to be good parents.
Mom reports that baby is doing well and she looks forward to returning to the center programs once baby is a little older.
Success Story #6
Ronnie and his wife separated. He was only able to have his children with him from Friday through Sunday, and it was a hard transition after being an intricate part of his children’s daily lives. Because of economic issues, he was housed in a local motel until he could find an apartment. Ronnie was employed, able to pay rent, but short of a security deposit, so he was unable to see his children while living in the motel.
He came to our center and we worked through a family plan to help him prioritize and make changes where needed. Although many referrals for affordable housing were made, no security deposit assistance was available. Paying a weekly rate for a motel is more expensive than renting an apartment. With Ronnie’s determination, he kept coming back, working every avenue possible to be able to be a parent to his sons once again. The FSC advocated with Ronnie and were able to obtain the security deposit for an apartment.
Ronnie said: “If it had not been for my FSC making all the needed connections, I don’t know what I would have done. I was becoming so depressed that I was considering options (wrong choices) that could have ruined my life. After having seen my children every day from the day they were born, experiencing the hurt of a divorce and not having the finances to pay security due to the daily expense of living in a motel... it was very devastating. Now I feel as if the weight of the world was lifted from my shoulders, I can breathe again – but most importantly, be a good dad to my kids.”
Success Story #7
Tomia and her husband, Timothy, were suddenly faced with raising the newborn of a family member within weeks of her first visit to see us. We helped connect them to other existing agencies that could help them in a multitude of ways. When Tomia first came to the center she was very shy. Over time, she has become a great support to some of the other young mothers who come to the Center. Tomia took part in the EPIC Parenting classes. She thought the classes were so great that she suggested to her classmates that they continue to meet and support each other. The new parent support group decided to host a mid-day Parents Anonymous meeting once they complete the EPIC training this June.
Success Story #8
Mom was a 33 year old Polish immigrant who initially came into our center 3 years ago with her infant daughter. She had heard about the center from someone in the community. She was a single parent with no family or support in this country. She reported that she had no prenatal care with her first pregnancy. The Family Support Specialist helped Mom apply for NJ FamilyCare and helped her identify a pediatrician for her daughter, as well as to explain to the mother how important it was to take her baby to the doctor for immunizations and well baby check-ups. Mom began to attend activities at the center.
We are pleased to report that three years later Mom and her family continue to do well. Mom is now married. She and her husband have gotten their driver’s licenses and purchased a family car. Her husband is working and supporting the family. Mom is attending ESL classes at Mercer County Community College. During her second pregnancy Mom continued to meet with the Family Support Specialist and had regular prenatal visits. The family now has two healthy daughters. The Family Support Specialist gave Mom information on the Abbott preschool program and Mom successfully registered the four year old for preschool. Mom and her youngest daughter attend the Polish Parents United Education and Support Group at the Center.
