From Heartbreaking to Heartwarming

From Frankie Dees, HSC Behavioral Health Coordinator : 

I had the honor of working with a woman (referred to as Ms. Z throughout) who was in a very dangerous situation with a motorcycle club. After the loss of her unborn child, Ms. Z reported falling apart and losing everything; she fell into a dark depression and drugs which took its toll and caused her to become homeless. This is where she met a man who ended up taking advantage of her and used her for profit. She felt trapped and alone thinking there was no way out due to who these people were. She was forced to sleep outside in a dog house wearing a dog collar and chain while this man and his wife slept indoors. 

She was being used in the sex trade among other things to make him money. I did an assessment with Ms. Z last March and due to my past history with the same types of people and sharing my personal story, I was able to build a trust with Ms. Z and helped her to see there was a way out of her situation. Ms. Z matched all of the criteria for Permanent Supportive Housing. I was able get her into the next housing briefing in April as an emergency case, and in May she was able to move into her new home. Six months later (December 2019), she went to her clinic and reported to the housing specialist that she is doing amazing. She stated, “Do you see Frankie, I want to tell you both Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thank you so very much for everything because of what you have done for me, I have been able to turn my life around. I am doing really good, I am now an Optical Technician, and I no longer have contact with those people and know that I am worth having a better life.” 

The power of human connection and sharing lived experience is transformational for hundreds of individuals that the HSC serves every year.