Over the years in our shelter programs we have been called upon to do different tasks other than the norm of helping our families find jobs and locating housing. All of our services to help families take work. Sometimes, it’s one step forward and two steps backward before the intended goal is arrive at. Solutions to special needs take extra effort but oh the reward that comes with a success in one of these special areas.
A few years ago a former shelter resident approached me about obtaining her driver’s license. Sally had come along way with herself and her family. With the help of various mentors, counselors and social workers, she had overcome many past problems which included substance abuse. Her family had gone through a lot but now things were stabilizing. Our staff had helped her with housing, both temporary and permanent, helped her with job leads, and assisted her as she re-learned how to parent her six children. Many other agencies had helped her, none of which was lost on her. She continued to grow stronger and leave her past further behind.
A next step in her life story included obtaining a driver’s license so she could more freely transport her large family where they needed to go. Staff from another agency she kept in touch with offered her a used car if she would obtain her license and the proper insurance. She came to us. This plan required driving lessons where I could fit them in to my busy schedule. I managed to get in a couple with her in empty parking lots and around the park areas, but found it difficult to do more. She did well with these lessons (she already knew the basics of driving) and we moved on to the next step. She had to obtain her temporary permit. We assisted her with this step and she kept us up with her progress. When it was time for the driving test, we needed to locate a car that would be test worthy (all parts working), which was a challenge for our staff as we’re used to driving around in old, reliable “junkers.” A suitable car was finally found. The next step was procuring the proper, available staff person who could go with Sally on the day of the driver’s test. This meant scheduling and re-arranging things in our hectic shelter schedule to provide both working, passable car and available staff with driver’s license. Finally that was done. Unfortunately, on the day of the test, Sally missed a small but important item and did not pass. This meant disappointment for Sally and another day of rescheduling car and driver for me. (One step forward, two steps backwards.)
Shortly thereafter, another test day was selected, another passable car secured, and after reshuffling the schedule again, another staff person to drive Sally get her license. On that day she succeeded and came to our office to show off her driver’s license. I rejoiced with her, looked at her new license, and thanked God that this task was successful for her sake and for ours. She left to work out details to obtain her new used car and I turned my attention to the ever-pressing needs in front of me.
Several days later, after a particularly long day of hectic social work and ministry, I walked out of my office into our large lobby. From across the room, I heard someone say slow and easy, “Anybody want a ride home?” I turned to see Sally standing at the front desk, smiling holding her car keys. I knew this meant she had gotten her car and I shared her pride in that moment. “Sure,” I said, and walked with her out the door. In front of me sat a beautiful, large, red car. I was thrilled that God had blessed her with such a nice vehicle, but the real thrill came when she opened the passenger door for me to get in and turned to walk to the driver’s side to take the wheel! As I slid my tired self into the spacious, red leather seat, I felt like I was getting into a large red delicious apple. The moment was delicious. Sally, who had needed us a lot over the years, was now starting the engine of her car and driving me home, I thanked God for every backward and forward movement we had walked with Sally, not just in getting the drivers’ license, but in her whole life.
by Sandy Ramsey CCO Director (posted by Jon Trott)
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