Who We Help
To protect individuals’
privacy, real names and
pictures were not used
Beth
“Beth” is a young mother of two who left an abusive marriage and did not have any housing options. During the day, she would care for her elderly parents but could not stay with them for fear they would lose their housing. She spent her nights at local stores, bus shelters and the subway system, too ashamed to stay at a homeless shelter. Zumbro Valley staff were able to initially secure an emergency bed and have since found housing close to her parents. Beth was connected with county resources, and is now living with her youngest son while caring for her parents.
To protect individuals’
privacy, real names and
pictures were not used
Andy
“Andy” is a young man diagnosed with schizophrenia. Although he had lived on his own for years, Andy was very dependent on his parents and worked closely with a housing worker and case manager. After participating in therapy, he decided to return to school and began taking classes. Andy successfully completed his first year of school and found a new job that is much more satisfying than past work. He continues to attend classes and has made several new friends. Andy is now much less dependent on his parents and has been able to decrease the number of visits with his therapist.
To protect individuals’
privacy, real names and
pictures were not used
Wanda
"Wanda" is a young woman in her mid-twenties with a history of significant drug use as well as bipolar disorder who had needed intensive services in the past. She also had a head trauma. Wanda was referred to our Rapid Access Clinic following a hospitalization for increased symptoms of bipolar disorder due to being off medications for some time. Her medications were restarted and her blood levels were monitored. She stabilized quickly and obtained full-time employment. Wanda then transitioned to community care and has required no further service.
Rob
To protect individuals’
privacy, real names and
pictures were not use
“Rob” is a young man with a history of alcoholism. He joined the Pacing Recovery Effectively Program (PREP) in October 2009 as part of his effort to quit drinking. Working with his counselor, Rob developed a treatment plan that included daily monitoring, Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, therapy, volunteer work and obtaining his GED. He also set a goal of re-connecting with family members he had not spoken to in more than 10 years due to his use of alcohol.Rob has been sober for more than eight months, and has recently found an AA sponsor. He receives encouragement from Zumbro Valley Mental Health Center staff at his daily breathalyzer tests and is attending five AA meetings a week. Rob has reached out to family members and met with his mom and a sister for Mother’s Day. He is now attending church weekly, actively volunteers and is looking for part-time work to pay for his GED classes and tests. Rob readily acknowledges that his sobriety has allowed him to become involved in many positive activities and reflects on the difference between his current life to that when he was drinking and would isolate himself from others.