Back on track

Chase Montgomery with his mom, sister, brother and grandparents

Chase Montgomery’s mom dropped him off at the UGM Men’s Shelter the day before his 19^th birthday. The situation at home had become unbearable. Part of a blended family, Chase struggled to get along with his dad and siblings. When he wasn’t working his part-time job at McDonald’s, he was smoking pot, watching movies and playing video games. He was stuck, floundering. Dropping him off at the Mission was his mom’s version of tough love, and it worked. 

Chase came to UGM on March 2^nd of this year. He moved back home yesterday morning. The picture above was taken at his going away party on Monday night. After a little over 5 months, Chase’s life is back on track, and his family is ready to give him a second chance.

In the beginning, a homeless shelter was clearly the last place Chase wanted to be, but his mom had set clear guidelines: the only way he was coming home was to get a job and get his act together. Early on, both mother and son connected with Dean Whisler, UGM’s Social Service Manager. Dean worked with Chase to set goals, and as he made progress toward those goals, Dean encouraged him. At the same time, Dean provided a picture of that progress to Chase’s mom.

Early on, Chase worked as a driver’s aid, helping to pick up food and Thrift Store donations around town. To his surprise, he discovered that he enjoyed working and being challenged. When a job opened at the UGM Thrift Store Downtown, Chase applied. He didn’t get the job, but rather than wallowing, he kept working and learning.

A little later, a job opened up at the UGM Thrift Store in the Valley. Dean and Chase shifted their game into high gear, picking out a dress shirt, slacks and a tie so that Chase was "dressed for success." Before Chase left for his interview, Dean gave him some ringside coaching: "You've got this. Smile. Be confident. You can do it." This time, Chase was hired. He’s been working in production at the Valley for two months, and the manager praises his work.

"It's been a pleasure to work with Chase," Dean said. "We were able to open some doors for him, but it was Chase who chose to walk through them."

~Barbara Comito, UGM staff writer