Case Manager Latoya Webb-Elliott says one of her Ozanam Inn clients, ‘H’, is “a model client.” A couple of years ago, he “fell on hard times.” ‘H’ lost his son, ex-wife and her dad in a car accident. “He fell into depression,” Webb-Elliott said. ‘H’ lost his job at MSD and then housing. Last March, he came to Ozanam Inn, and shortly thereafter, got a job for two months with St. Vincent de Paul’s Warehouse. He wanted a car, but didn’t have enough money to purchase one.
In June, Webb-Elliott helped ‘H’ update his resume and he was able to get a good job. Then, he prioritized several areas of his life. ‘H’ bought a car to get to and from work, became active in church, paid off his debt, saved money and increased his credit score. While at SVDP, he volunteered in the Open Hand Kitchen. ‘H’ was able to land back on his feet, and in November, he became a homeowner.
“I was just always an encourager because I’ve been in that situation before too, so encouragement goes a long way,” Webb-Elliott said. Case Manager Stephen Jones added, “He definitely kept the faith as far as that there was light at the end of the tunnel … He’s the definition of what you’re supposed to do when you come here. If you want something, you’re going to go do it. He took initiative.”
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