CLIENT STORY Story #1 of 6 | Previous | Next Program: Streetwork Project “Serena” first came to the Streetwork Project at age 15, stating that her name was Maria and that she was 17 years old. She had been living on the streets for two weeks, having runaway from home. Serena reported that there were problems at home, but didn’t want to specify what they were. After a few months of working with her counselor, she felt safe enough to reveal her real name and age and details about the violence that she had experienced at the hands of her mentally ill step-father. As Serena felt more comfortable at Streetwork and realized that she would not be judged, she also began to open up about the ways she had found to support herself. Serena began to talk about her fears and the dangers connected to her life on the streets. After six months, Serena accepted a housing referral from her counselor and moved off the streets. In the six years that Serena has been involved with Streetwork, she has found permanent housing, earned her GED, begun college, married, had a child and found full-time employment. The Streetwork staff has supported her in each of these victories, writing recommendations for schools and for scholarships, helping her set up her nursery and counseling her around her vocational choices. Serena has also experienced devastating setbacks during the last six years, and the Streetwork staff helped her through abusive relationships, a dangerous addiction, and a repeated loss of her housing and benefits. The most significant part of Serena’s relationship with Streetwork has been the gradual building of trust and the healing of many of her emotional scars from a difficult and abusive childhood. As Serena began to forgive herself, she became more open to expecting positive things out of life, and began to make better choices for herself. Serena has made it clear that she hopes to return to Streetwork to join the staff someday. It has been a pleasure to watch Serena “grow up” here at Streetwork. Previous | Next