People with strong support systems don’t usually end up in homeless shelters.
The men, women and children coming through our doors are the products of divorce, family breakdown, abuse, generational poverty and addiction. Thanks to you, within our shelters they find a new kind of family – unconditional love and belonging combined with complete accountability.
But they can’t stay here forever.
Their long-term success depends upon their building a solid base of support outside UGM. They need to surround themselves with healthy, caring people.
People like you.
Three years ago, Patty Worth was living in a tent in California.
Three years before that, she lost her dad. A friend suggested coupling psychiatric medication with alcohol to get over her grief. “I never was a drinker, so within three years, I lost my home, and I was living in a tent.”
Patty eventually moved to Washington where her addiction landed her at the UGM Crisis Shelter.
Getting sober took several attempts. “I got wasted at the shelter and ended up in ICU…I gave it all to God that day.”
Sober does not equal cured.
Patty transitioned to Women’s Recovery at Anna Ogden Hall and recently completed the first four phases of the program. She has been sober for over two years, has a job at the UGM Thrift Store and is getting ready to move into her own place.
For the past several months of this journey, Julie Ingram has been walking alongside Patty in the role of mentor.
“Julie is one of my number-one fans,” Patty said. “She is there for anything and everything that I need. She’s my mentor, but she is my friend.”
Patty and Julie’s relationship has developed naturally.
“I think I am a good sounding board for Patty,” Julie said. “I give her different perspectives on things, calm her down when she is stressed or frustrated, encourage and praise her growth.”
Doesn’t everyone need someone like that in his/her life?
Patty thinks so. “[Julie] has been very much of a blessing in my life – spiritually, emotionally, physically. I appreciate how her family has accepted me as a part of their family. I just feel very loved, and I love her very much. She’s very dear to my heart.”
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