1. CLIENT SUCCESS STORY
JEVS Human Services
Making Hope Happen for
Turning the Page from Desperation to Inspiration
Gwen
SETTING A
GOOD EXAMPLE
After struggling
with drug addiction
for 25 years, Gwen
Holmes (middle)
turned to JEVS
Maximizing
Participation Project
for help getting
clean.Today, she
enjoys a new life.
Gwen is engaged,
works full-time, and
stands as a role model
to her family.
PICTURED:
Souleymane Fall and Amber
Key of JEVS Maximizing
Participation Project
tanding on the corner after Souleymane Fall, MPP special projects Strictly Business awards and fund-raising
S
being evicted from her home, supervisor of employment services, was event last October. She is now living in a
her possessions in one trash Gwen’s case manager. He said, “Social work is home where she pays full rent, no longer living
bag, Gwen Holmes hit rock difficult—it’s frustrating—but Gwen’s story in Section 8 housing. She often visits MPP,
bottom. For ten years Gwen made every social worker proud.” MPP inspiring new participants and showing that
sold illegal drugs to support
her family, and she later
became dependent on them. That day on the
helped Gwen look for work, and also taught
her to recognize the
importance of short-
it’s possible to change. “
sidewalk she decided to change her life. term goals. Gwen got a “Social work is difficult—
job at the Salvation
Not knowing where to turn for help, she Army as a teacher’s aide it’s frustrating—but Gwen’s
contacted the Pennsylvania Department of and has been drug-free
Public Welfare, who referred her to the over a year-and-a-half. story made every social
JEVS Maximizing Participation Program
(MPP). After assessing Gwen’s needs, MPP This past summer, worker proud.” SOULEYMANE FALL
SUPERVISOR OF EMPLOYMENT SERVICES
JEVS MAXIMIZING PARTICIPATION PROJECT
referred her to Horizon House for help with Horizon House
her drug addiction. Brenda Cooper, a offered Gwen an
manager at Horizon House, says, “Gwen outreach specialist job for the Spring Garden Her 15-year-old son lives with her and attends
never dropped a beat. She was doing this Café. The Café is a welcoming place where the Central High School, where he plays football.
for her and her son.” homeless can come in for the night, rest on “My son wants to go to Princeton, Yale, or
couches and chairs, get food, watch TV, get a Harvard. How would he do that if his mom is
Once she joined the drug and alcohol program, shower, and just talk to someone who cares. doing things she’s not supposed to? He’s
she never looked back. After finishing the According to Brenda, Gwen is perfect for the intelligent and wants to do something in life.
Horizon House program, employment became job: “When you try to help people, they have the I’m going to do everything I can to make sure
her main focus. Gwen’s MPP case coordinator tendency to feel as though ‘you don’t know my son doesn’t have the life I was giving him.”
enrolled her in the program’s employment where I’ve been.’ Gwen’s been there.”
services where she was assisted with living skills
and finding work: “I didn’t want to just sit home Gwen’s perseverance earned her the 2008 For more information
and collect a check,” said Gwen. JEVS Inspiration Award, presented at the Maximizing Participation Project / 267.238.3100
INSIDE JEVS PG.6