Three Lives Changed with Your Support
When children, adults and families need help to cope with distress and disruption in their lives, they find support from Catholic Charities’ Counseling Services and School-based Counseling. Meet three people who benefitted from counseling during stressful times:
Tina Finds Employment and Hope after Depression
Tina fled an abusive relationship eight years ago. She stayed in a shelter and moved into transitional housing once she found employment. Tina enjoyed her job, but after four years, she was laid off. She worked off and on but never found another stable job. She fell behind in her rent payments and felt ashamed to tell her children and mother about her circumstances. Tina’s depression became so severe that when she received an eviction notice, her landlord required her to attend counseling to maintain her housing. Tina knew she needed help.
Tina began individual counseling with Catholic Charities in February. She hoped counseling would help her manage her depression so she could rebuild her self-esteem, find employment and prevent going back to living on the streets and in shelters. Tina committed to attending counseling weekly, and every week she found herself feeling better. In May Tina and her counselor strengthened her resume and she felt empowered to search for a job. Tina found a new job in June and began paying her rent again. Tina aspires to move out of public housing, get her own apartment and a new car. Tina has a renewed sense of self and place in the world.
Kara writes:
“As the oldest daughter in our small family of five, I have seen and experienced many things that other teenagers my age would not know how to handle. When I was younger, my mother faced a lot of difficulties. We had to move to a domestic violence shelter, and I knew that it was time to learn and grow up. Food, clothes, shelter and support were given to us. We are very grateful to all of the people who contributed and changed our lives.
“Now six years later, I live in a house with a young brother… With the hard year going for so many families because of the economy, I was more thankful. Catholic Charities has helped my family and me in many ways… I am very thankful for the gifts and the help provided. I am inspired to change and help others.”
Darren Reunites with His Children
Darren loved being a stay-at-home dad for his two children, age 10 and 13. But when his wife filed for divorce, Darren had no income, nowhere to live and no communication with his children. He began counseling because he suffered from severe depression, partly because he was away from his children. He lived on the streets for almost 18 months. He sometimes wanted to give up and leave the state and often threatened suicide. His therapist encouraged him to stay in Minnesota to be near his children.
After several months, Darren met with one of his children. Afterward, Darren called to say he had spent a very successful 90 minutes with his son and planned to see him again. When the family’s home was sold by order of the divorce decree, Darren finally had sufficient money to afford his own home, and he ended what he considered his very successful therapy.
Read more success stories in our archives.
Learn more about Counseling Services' individual and group services for people in the Twin Cities.
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