Expressions Winter 2021

Volume XIX • Number 3 • Winter 2021

IN THIS ISSUE: The Right Home

for Rachel A Light in the Darkness

A Season of Possibilities

On my desk at home, there’s a list of dishes I’m considering making for gatherings this season. There are some annual favorites—like the sweet potato casserole I’ve learned to love as an adult—and some new takes on old classics, like pecan pie truffles. Cooking for my family and friends is not simple. There are people who do not eat sugar, people who do not eat meat, and people whose bodies cannot tolerate gluten. I have learned to make biscuits without dairy, cookies without eggs, and casseroles without meat-based broth. For meals I grew up thinking there was only one way to make, I now know there are countless ways to create tasty dishes, even the most traditional and comforting ones, so that everyone can enjoy them. The challenge of creating beautiful and delicious meals that create inclusion instead of exclusion has become a great joy to me. This mindset—that limits do not have to be limiting, that by removing options we can actually open new doors—lives strong in the DePaul community. We provide care to a diverse group of beloved individuals, each one experiencing limitations. Some have restrictions on where they can live because not all family provides safety. Others have limits on the kinds of social or sensory experiences they enjoy. Still others must avoid certain activities due to medical issues. Our team walks alongside them, helping them find their no-matter-what people within the boundaries of what is healthy for their unique life. Key to our vision of hope and belonging is the belief that some of our greatest expansions happen when we feel the most constrained. To see how our families and staff turn limits into possibilities, you need only read ahead to the stories in this newsletter. To go deeper into the lives of those we serve, I invite you to listen to our podcast “Opening Doors to Hope and Belonging” (depaulcr.org/openingdoorspodcast). Your support makes the work of belonging possible and helps turn boundaries into bounty.

Wishing you hope and belonging this season,

Amanda Stanley

T hank you for helping us bridge the gaps!

The Bridge to Hope Fund has been meeting unmet needs in the community thanks to your generous support. Here are just some of the life-changing purchases the fund has made so far: ❤ “Maya” was relying on others to help her move around safely, until she was provided a motorized scooter. The scooter has increased her independence at home and in the community and boosted her self-esteem. ❤ “John” was in desperate need of bed rails to prevent him from falling out of bed. His only other alternative was a hospital bed, which he knew wouldn’t feel like home. The bed rails have given him safety and peace of mind, while still allowing him to feel self-sufficient. ❤ “Hayden,” who is in the foster care system, was facing homelessness and unsure where to turn. The fund provided the deposit and first month’s rent for a furnished apartment so he has a safe place to live.

Your Bridge to Hope Fund Support So Far

Donations $25,683

Goal $90,000

depaulcr.org/bridge-to-hope-fund

The Right Home for Rachel Story by Alison Wickline | Photos by Kylie Hinson Photography

The bond between sisters Rachel and Carrie is special. It has weathered many storms, moved many mountains, and grown stronger each year. That bond has since blossomed into a whole family wrapping around Rachel and making sure she lives the life she deserves. Rachel has cerebral palsy and an intellectual disability and cannot live on her own. For many years, she was cared for by her aunt and uncle. After they passed away and after trying other living situations, Rachel wanted to try living in a group home. “She liked the idea of being an adult and doing something by herself,” said Carrie. After living in two group homes, Rachel began showing signs that she was not happy. In this moment, Carrie and her husband Jeremy had some hard, but important, conversations. Should they step in and welcome Rachel into their home? Could they care for someone with special needs, especially since they were already caring for their children? Could they balance careers, children, and compassionate care? Would Rachel find peace in their home? There were plenty of questions, but the answer always remained the same. Rachel “She didn’t want conversation, she cried a lot, she seemed depressed, she slept a lot,” said Carrie.

needed them, and they needed to be there for her. In March, Carrie and Jeremy officially became Rachel’s sponsored residential providers through DePaul and Jeremy quit his job to make sure he would be there for Rachel whenever she needed him. “Having his constant support and someone who is dedicated to her during the day has made a huge difference,” said Carrie. Since moving in, Rachel is becoming her old self again. She is sweet and cheerful, motivated to be more independent and vocal—an advocate for herself. A doctor even recently put “happiness” in her medical notes. And DePaul is there for the family when they need it, offering resources, support, and someone to listen. “It gives you joy and purpose and it’s important … you’re making all the difference in the world to them,” said Jeremy. “She brightens our days,” said Carrie. “It really is life-changing to be helping my sister have a better life.” Rachel’s world has changed, and so have the worlds of those around her. That is the beauty and power of compassionate care. Much like the bond between sisters, it can weather storms, move mountains, and grow stronger through time.

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She brightens our days … It really is life-changing to be helping my sister have a better life. CARRIE

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There’s hope that someone can understand me. There’s hope that someone can accept me. There’s hope for a future. BEN

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A Light in the Darkness Story by Alison Wickline

Hope. That is what Ben has now that he didn’t have six months ago, when he contemplated taking his own life. He credits DePaul’s substance abuse counseling services as well as his 12-step meetings with giving him that hope and bringing him out of the darkness. “There’s hope just for someone to listen to me,” said Ben. “There’s hope that someone can understand me. There’s hope that someone can accept me. There’s hope for a future.” Ben has struggled with mental health and addiction issues for 30 years. He deals with anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, depression, and substance abuse. He has gone in and out of therapy, in and out of sobriety, in and out of his family’s life. “I needed to fill the hole that was inside of me … the drinks and drugs were my solution,” said Ben. Months ago, Ben was in that dark place after going through a major crisis. He somehow found the strength to seek support and began attending recovery meetings. It was on his way to a meeting that he drove past a DePaul office, a moment he calls “divine intervention.” He saw the words “community resources” and decided to do some research. He visited DePaul’s website and two words caught his eye and gave him the courage to call.

Ben fights back tears reflecting on his first phone call from a member of DePaul’s counseling services team. It was 93 minutes long.

“I still get emotional now because no one had been listening to me,” said Ben.

DePaul began offering substance abuse counseling services early this year in hopes of addressing a serious community need. The goal of the program is to help those struggling find a place of hope and belonging, seek positive connections, and empower themselves on their journey. “Everyone at DePaul really worked together to ensure that Ben received the appropriate service as quickly as possible, and I believe that effort helped him see there are people ready and willing to listen and help,” said Jason Poston, director of community-based services. Ben has been sober for a couple months now. He fills his days with recovery meetings and counseling, which seem to be complementing each other well.

“I’m able to get as much out of it as I put in … that’s the way I look at it,” said Ben.

Some days are harder than others, and on those days, he takes it moment by moment and that’s enough. He is working on being grateful for things in his life, even though he doesn’t have much right now. What he does have is hope, thanks to his meetings and his counseling. Hope has saved his life. *Name has been changed to protect privacy

“I saw the words ‘hope’ and ‘belonging,’ and I was desperately lacking both,” said Ben.

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There should be hope and belonging for everyone. Every child should feel accepted and loved. Every individual with a disability should feel welcome in his or her community. Everyone should have opportunities to learn, give back, and feel hopeful about the future. Everyone should have a place to belong. There is more work in the coming year and many more in need of hope and belonging. With you by our side, we are ready. Your year-end gift will make the difference in accomplishing incredible things in 2022. Our work remains possible because you believe in what we do. May you be blessed in 2022 with love, opportunity, and health.

To make an impactful year-end gift: ❤ Use the enclosed, pre-paid envelope, ❤ Visit depaulcr.org/donate, or ❤ Scan the QR code below.