The Stephen Center Helped Me
Often times a person faces a situation he/she never fathomed they would have to face. About a month ago, I was put into one of those situations.
I had been living in a house in West Omaha and paying dearly for it, month after month for five years. One year into the lease, I was diagnosed with a fatal disease. I continued to work while being treated with chemo and radiation.
One and one half years later, I chose to leave the company where I was working. I then applied for unemployment for the first time in my life. I received unemployment for 13 weeks while I was searching for a new job, all to no avail. The treatments and medicine that I was taking was altering my ability to perform as well as I had in the past.
The failing economy also negatively affected what I had been able to save. I had to withdraw funds from my insurance savings to make the rent payments. I kept thinking that things would get better, but they didn’t. I found myself in a motel with two days and nights to find a new place to live. I made as many calls as possible to the Veteran’s Administration.
I was fortunate to receive a call back from Mike Johnson, a counselor for the homeless with the VA. He suggested that I call the Stephen Center and ask for Maggie. He told me that he would also call her to let her know my situation. What a blessing. Maggie had me come to the Stephen Center for an intake session. I did this and became a resident of the Center.
I quickly discovered that the Stephen Center was a “special place” with rules that positively framed me and many others. Most of the residents pitch in to keep their personal and common areas clean. The residents also gain so much by sharing valuable information with one another. Friendships are born here.
After receiving support and help from the staff, I have now moved into an apartment of my own. Thank you to the staff and friends that I’ve made at Stephen Center. I appreciate the network that Stephen Center has made with the VA, city agencies and state agencies to create health, hope and promise for those of us that are unhealthy, despairing and doubting.
Thanks to the many generous donors who provide food and clothing to us.
God Bless!
