DePaul Expressions Newsletter Vol. XXII Num. 1

A PUBLICATION FROM DEPAUL COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Volume XXII • Number 1 • Spring 2024

IN THIS ISSUE: Moving Forward With Hope and Healing Walking Together Toward a Bright Future

In recent months as we welcomed the arrival of spring and warmer weather, I was reminded of the transformative power of hope. Hope is not just a wish for things to get better; it is the belief that tomorrow can be different than today. It is the driving force behind our mission at DePaul and an integral part of our vision of “ Opening Doors to Hope and Belonging” for all we are honored to serve. Just as nature undergoes its annual renewal, we are inspired by the changes around us. We have the privilege of witnessing the incredible growth and change of those we serve when there is hope. In this edition of our newsletter, you will read about our Independent Living supervisor having the privilege of escorting one of our former participants as she walked down the aisle on her wedding day. You can also read Katrina’s story of growth and her transformation as she found safety and stability with her foster mom, Kimberly. Hope has the power to transform lives. It can inspire individuals to heal from adversity, to dream big, and to work toward a brighter future. This belief in the power of hope fuels our efforts at DePaul. And just as nature changes and grows, so do we. Through our growth and transformation, we can better serve others and create positive change in the world. I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of you who support our mission. Your generosity and dedication make it possible for us to transform lives and through our programs, make hope feel possible to those in need. Together, we are making a real and lasting impact on the lives of individuals and families in our communities. As we enter this new season, let us do so with a renewed sense of purpose and hope. Sincerely,

Renee Brown President and CEO

Bridge to Hope Fund Every day at DePaul, we see children, individuals, and

families who already face enormous challenges struggling to obtain therapeutic services and critical support that could have life-changing impacts.

Recently, the Bridge to Hope Fund helped Mary, an 85-year old individual with a disability in DePaul’s Sponsored

Residential program. With her age and physical limitations becoming increasingly more challenging, Mary sees a physical and occupational therapist. Both therapists advised Mary’s caregiver that she would greatly benefit from the use of a sliding shower chair. The chair would provide safety for her and her caregiver, allowing Mary to maintain her daily personal hygiene needs and her independence. While Mary’s primary care physician wrote her a prescription for a shower chair, Medicare denied coverage for this chair. Thanks to you and the Bridge to Hope Fund, DePaul purchased this shower chair for Mary and her caregiver. This special fund bridges the gap for people like Mary with limited resources and removes financial barriers, so they have access to the services and support they desperately need.

The Bridge to Hope Fund is 100% supported by DePaul donors and donations from the employees at DePaul.

Please consider a gift today to the Bridge to Hope Fund and help us continue to say “yes” to those who need it.

❤ $30 can help a family afford an insurance copay they just don’t have. ❤ $60 will pay for a therapy session for an individual that does not have insurance. ❤ $90 will purchase safety equipment for an individual when Medicaid has denied coverage. ❤ $150 will help a young adult who has grown up in foster care to register for community college classes.

depaulcr.org/donate

Moving Forward With Hope and Healing Story by Alison Wickline-Burns | Photos by KMS Photography

Kimberly opened her heart and home to Katrina in 2015. Katrina was in foster care and desperately searching for safety and stability after experiencing multiple traumatic events in her home. Throughout their years together, Kimberly and Katrina have worked hard to build a healthy mother-daughter bond. And Katrina has worked hard to find healing. “My goal is to work through my traumatic past and process pieces of my life,” said Katrina. DePaul’s counseling services are guiding Katrina as she accomplishes that goal. Her counseling sessions with clinician Carmelita have given her comfort, connection, and the strength to speak openly about her hurt so she can heal. “My experience has been really good with it,” said Katrina. “I am learning how to understand my feelings and communicate them.” The program has had a positive impact not only on Katrina, but also on the entire family.

“There’s involvement with all of us,” said Kimberly. “It’s helping Katrina but also helping us as a family unit navigate things together.” As a foster and adopt ive mother, Kimberly sees how important it is to seek support when needed. She hopes other families in their posi t ion know that asking for help is not some thing to be ashamed of, but something to be proud of instead. “I’m a single, working mom with kids at home and a lot of worries,” said Kimberly. “This has been tremen dously helpful taking some of that pressure off.” Today, Kat r ina at tends col lege, working toward a nursing degree with a minor in sign language. She hopes to become a pediatr ic nurse. And she counts on her regular counseling sessions to keep her progressing and moving forward to a future ful l of hope and heal ing.

“My goal is to work through my traumatic past and process pieces of my life.”

— KATRINA

4 | SPRING 2024

Walking Together Toward a Bright Future Story by Alison Wickline-Burns | Photos by Blvns Photography

December 19 was the most beautiful day of 20-year-old Moe’s life. It was the day she said “I do” to her best friend surrounded by loved ones. And on that day, she was escorted down the aisle by some one who she believes had a hand in changing her life: DePaul’s Independent Living supervisor, Carrie. “I asked Carrie to walk me down the aisle because nobody since I’ve been an adult has helped me the way Carrie has,” said Moe. “She’s been there for me…when I was at my darkest times, she was there listening and held me when I needed to cry.” “It truly was one of the greatest honors of my life,” said Carrie. Carrie’s involvement in one of the most impor tant days of Moe’s life illustrates the power and impact of the Independent Living program and its dedicated team. DePaul’s IL programs in Abingdon, Charlottesville, and Roanoke offer safe housing, support, and opportunities for self-sufficiency to young people who have aged out of foster care. Moe was in the IL program in Abingdon for almost two years. When she started, she was in high school and living on her own. During her time in

the program, she graduated high school, enrolled in and completed a certified nursing assistant program, and began working at a local assisted living facility. “My time in the program was amazing because they helped me push myself where I could do the things all the adults in my past told me I couldn’t and wouldn’t be able to do,” said Moe. Moe graduated from the program shortly before her wedding and is currently pursuing her dream of becoming a registered nurse. “Moe is such a light,” said Carrie. “We have been able to be there for her through some wonderful times, as well as some of the hard stuff. The growth and maturity I have seen in her over the years has been astounding. We miss her terribly but are incredibly proud of her.” Today, Moe is moving forward on a new jour ney filled with love, hope, and the lasting impacts of DePaul’s Independent Living program and the people who lifted her up when she needed it most. “I met wonderful people along the way that will forever be in my heart,” said Moe.

“I met wonderful people along the way that will forever be in my heart.”

— MOE

7 | SPRING 2024

A PUBLICATION FROM DEPAUL COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Your Generosity in Action

Carilion Clinic and Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia

• Spring 2024

• Number 1

Volume XXII

Thank you to Carilion Clinic and the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia’s Phalia M. and Guy M. Kinder Fund for their generous grant awards to DePaul’s Counseling Services program. These grants will facilitate healing experiences and alleviate mental health issues for at-risk foster care youth and families in crisis with our certified therapy dog, Daisy, and DePaul’s outpatient therapist. This support will provide critical services to those in need who lack Medicaid, insurance, or other means to access this service. Thank you for these life-changing gifts. Daisy is ready to help anyone she can and loves to do this work.

The Al Stroobants Foundation and Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation We are grateful to both The Al Stroobants Foundation and the Greater Lynchburg Community Foundation for their support of DePaul’s programs that provide personal growth, social inclusion, community involvement, and train caregivers for adults with developmental disabilities in Lynchburg. The individuals we serve can often feel excluded from the community at large. Through DePaul’s OPTIONS program, participants grow as individuals, develop self-esteem, learn new skills, make friends and become involved members of their community. These treasured, purposeful experiences and trained providers empower individuals like David, pictured here at the Virginia Transportation Museum, to achieve their goals, enrich their daily lives, and improve their overall quality of life.

The Louise R. Lester Foundation, C.E. Richardson Benevolent Foundation, and Sam & Marion Golden Helping Hand Foundation Thanks to all three foundations, DePaul was able to purchase play therapy equipment and supplies for our therapy playrooms in Christiansburg and Roanoke. Funding also supported our therapist to participate in a play therapy training conference. Play therapy is an evidence-based mental health intervention that helps children communicate and express their feelings through play. Play therapy is especially beneficial for children who find it difficult to speak about past traumatic experiences. The play therapy equipment and training will facilitate healing experiences for children and help them to process, understand, and cope with past trauma. IN THIS ISSUE: Moving Forward With Hope and Healing Walking Together Toward a

Bright Future

depaulcr.org/donate