August 2021 Newsletter

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Working On Independence

Diana is 31-years-old and thus far has been dependent on various members of her family. She has dyslexia as well as a developmental disability, causing her difficulty in reading and learning. She was raised by her single mother, who never seemed to have patience with her. She felt like a burden to everyone except her grandma, so at 17 she moved in with her. Diana said, “I was spoiled. That was when my childhood really opened up. I was able to have friends over. I was able to do chores together with my grandma and had fun doing it. Grandma treated me like a blessing.” However in time, the natural rambunctiousness of a youth in contrast to the calmness of a senior caused its own problems. Diana said, “Nobody wanted me here.” She moved in with an older sister for three years, then on the to another sister’s house for four years. That was her last relative to live with, but the household was filled with addiction issues and domestic violence. There was nowhere else to go. A grown woman with childish dependence was going to be homeless.

From a life of not having a job or household rules, Diana entered Samaritan Inn, a place that is well organized with a set schedule throughout the day. She said, “When I first got here, I had a hood on, sunglasses, and listened to a lot of movie theme music loud to drown out people. I was not able to look a person in the face, broken. I felt like I was worthless and I had no purpose. It was horrible and like a nightmare, closed off, shut down. After being put down by people my whole life, I felt like I would never amount to anything.” At that point, she considered applying for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), a federal program funded by general tax revenues. Once dependent on SSI, human nature makes it hard to give up for those able to work.

For a few months, Diana unsuccessfully tried to find employment with very little work history and no self-confidence. She hesitated to join our program, because she thought it was all about addiction issues, that she does not have. Yet, she was encouraged to join our Program as a means of personal growth and development of job skills. For more than a year, she had the position of Housekeeper, stripping dormitory beds and doing laundry. Diana said, “The Program brought me closer to God. I prayed more than I could have imagined before. I used to get told by my grandma, ‘If you’re struggling in life, just pray to God and He will take care of it.’ I prayed for a job that I could manage and understand and keep up with. I was afraid that I wouldn’t remember everything.”

Through a local, contracted service provider of Oregon Vocational Rehabilitation, Diana was assigned to a Job Developer that helped her get a job as a Housekeeper in a motel. A Job Coach shadowed her for a short time, reminding her what to do and how to make it less stressful. One month later, Diana was not only working on her own, she received a two dollar an hour raise.

Diana said, “Now I can do whatever I set my mind to, just ask for help, and don’t be ashamed. I am exiting Samaritan Inn as a brand new person than was brought into the world.”