Susanna’s Story: Staying Accountable
Susanna is a mother of five who has faced many obstacles while her husband is incarcerated. After being asked to leave base housing, she lived in homelessness with her children – starting when her children were ages 10 to 1 week. Overwhelmed with responsibility and worry about her children’s basic needs and emotional health, she never gave up and did what she had to do to provide for her children. More than once that determination got her through disappointment. Despite her many struggles and challenges, Susanna finished schooling to be a dental assistant while living in a shelter with her kids. At one point, Susanna let her dental assistant license lapse and decided to go back to school to pursue her dream of being a Fashion Designer. Only to have the design school she was attending close. Depressed, frustrated, worried, and looking for direction, Susanna took a friend’s advice and made an appointment with Lynn at Sound Outreach.
Lynn worked with Susanna to set goals and design a plan to get back on a career path. When she missed an appointment, Lynn called to check up on her only to find out Susanna was at a dentist appointment with her son. Lynn saw an opportunity and pushed Susanna to ask if the clinic was hiring. Lynn then helped Susanna fill out an application and she was hired as soon as she renewed her license. Susanna knows that her employment coach changed her life.
There are a lot of ways to get help but at Sound Outreach you get help only a plan but a coach that holds you accountable. A lot of people need that. I know I did.
Susanna took her coaching seriously and was re-certified and started working in September. She is in stable housing and is following her financial plan. However, she did not escape the effects of COVID-19. Her hours were cut to a week a month. Susanna says she didn’t really have time to worry about what that would mean for her financially or to her housing, “
Lynn was on the phone with me immediately. She made sure I was signing up for the services I needed and encouraged me to make a plan to stretch my stimulus check.
Taking her lead from Sound Outreach, Susanna has been diligent with paying bills and paying rent in advance. She’s been proactive in contacting creditors to set up payment plans. Susanna says Lynn and Sound Outreach didn’t forget about her or let her slip into old habits. Instead, she is investing the coaching and advice she’s received in her financial security so she can support her children – all five of them.
Because of the generosity of our sponsors and community, Sound Outreach can support people like Susanna. Please consider a gift of support to Sound Outreach.
