Catholic Charities AIDS Services staff has been helping Emma since late 2007. She had struggled with substance use, attempting recovery but suffering several relapses. When staff met her she was in a homeless shelter due to the loss of her significant other and their joint housing. She was consistently attending outpatient substance abuse treatment and graduated several months later. She has been living in a residential program since last summer and her housing needs have stabilized.

At initial contact with Catholic Charities AIDS Services, she was not able to go to medical and other appointments alone. Her literacy level was low and she lacked the confidence to make application for benefits or to get the information she needed from her medical providers.

Since that time and with her COBRA case manager’s help, Emma has registered for classes to complete her GED and is attending school toward that goal. Her reading level has improved and so has her confidence. She still needs help with paperwork but is now better able to ask verbal questions in medical appointments, relying less on staff to assist her and support her. She attends most appointments on her own.

Emma’s health has improved and she has maintained her recovery efforts. She is looking into getting her own apartment in the upcoming months and transitioning out of residential services and support.

Emma feels good about the progress she’s made and acknowledges how the agency helped her to get there. Staff has stuck by her in her journey to change her old lifestyle. She is grateful and understands what she is able to have because she made changes in her life.

Staff has discovered many strengths in Emma during their time working with her. She is very capable. She shares her sense of humor with others, making her a very pleasant person to be around.