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These stories are true, but the names have been changed for reasons
of confidentiality.
Supporting Children & Youth
Erica is an 8-year-old girl that lives in Jefferson with her mother
who is disabled. Because of the disability, her mom, Tory, has
a difficult time getting around. This caused much heartache in
their relationship because Tory wasn’t able to do the simple
things with her daughter that she wanted to do like taking Erica
to the park or out to dinner. Because of this, they grew more and
more distant from each other as Erica got older and began to withdraw.
That is why Tory will tell you that the match made when Erica was
set up with her Big Sister, is the best thing that ever happened
for each of them and their relationship. Before meeting her Big
Sister, Erica had a hard time expressing herself and seemed sad
most of the time. But now, her mom says that Erica is so much happier
and can’t seem to stop smiling. Having such a close friend
has given Erica confidence and has opened her up to trying new
things. The two families have also gotten to know each other well
and spend lots of time together. Erica’s teachers have also
seen an improvement in her self-esteem at school. Erica’s
mom, Tory, says that Erica and her Big Sister are best friends
and will be forever.
Encouraging Knowledge & Independence
Claudia came to the United States about eight years ago from Paraguay.
She lived in the Chicago area for a while, and then moved to Jefferson
County. She grew up speaking Spanish and therefore needed to get
into a program to learn English in the U.S. In 2002, Claudia was
finally able to participate regularly in the Jefferson County Literacy
Council’s ELL program, and started receiving tutoring with
a woman from Fort Atkinson named Ruth. Being able to spend more
time focusing on the language, and with the help of Ruth, she slowly
gained more and more understanding of English. A year later, a
group of Latina women were put together in a class with Ruth to
work vigorously on reading and writing skills. Claudia committed
herself to studying English, with the encouragement of Ruth, and
her English continued to improve. Ruth supported Claudia throughout
this difficult time because Claudia also had three children to
take care of, so it was sometimes hard to study the language as
much as she would have liked. She eventually was able to obtain
a part-time job, and with her husband purchased their first home.
Claudia now reads to her children every day and attends school
functions with her daughter. She reads for pleasure as well and
her family participated in the literacy council’s FISH (FAMILIES
INVESTING IN STORIES AT HOME) family literacy program in February
2005. Claudia and Ruth formed the literacy council’s first
book club that began in the Spring of 2005. Claudia is an advocate
for others to join the literacy council’s programs so that
she can help them in the same way that Ruth has helped her.
Promoting Dignity, Health & Wellness
Dick walked into the Rock River Free Clinic, not knowing the diagnosis
that would be rattling his mind on the way home. He was out of
work and isolated from family and community neighbors, which made
him familiar with being alone. But then Dick was told he had cancer
and that the outlook was not especially hopeful. This, however,
is not the end of Dick’s story. Medical volunteers at the
RRFC were able to refer him to an Oncologist through Fort Healthcare
for treatment. The volunteers were not giving up on Dick. The volunteer
physician even visited him at his home to bring him medication
for his physical pain along with the side effects from the chemotherapy
that he had begun to receive. Then, the RRFC volunteers took things
a step further and referred Dick to the Jefferson County Health
Department and the Human Services Department. With the help of
a social worker and a public health nurse from the JCHD and HSD,
Dick was reconnected with his daughter. Not only did the RRFC volunteers
take care of Dick’s physical health as much as they could,
but they also made sure that Dick did not die alone, and that he
and his daughter were able to have the closure that they needed.
Promoting Dignity, Health & Wellness
Ted lost his job as a long haul driver because of his poor health.
He visited the Rock River Free Clinic looking for improvement in
his strength and overall wellbeing. The physicians and the nurses
at the clinic helped Ted learn to control his hypertension and
diabetes. Because of the care he received from the volunteers at
the RRFC, he was allowed to return to his job. The volunteers made
sure that Ted could drive again, without having to worry any longer
about his health.
Providing Basic Needs for Individuals & Families
Suzy is a single mother of a third-grade little girl named Tiffany.
Suzy has raised Tiffany on her own from the very beginning because
Tiffany’s father saw her only once when she was first born.
Tiffany’s grandmother has a terminal illness and each one
of these experiences throughout Tiffany’s life has had quite
an affect on her. Tiffany also has a lot to deal with when it comes
to school, because she has a learning disability that makes it
difficult for her to read. Because of all of these things, Suzy,
Tiffany’s mom, got in touch with FAST Friends, a mentoring
program, hoping that it would help little Tiffany overcome her
struggles. Tiffany’s new friend reads with her and takes
her to the library so that together they become excited about learning.
Her FAST friend, Elise, also has a learning disability and for
Tiffany to know that Elise has conquered so much is an inspiration
to her. Since she first met Elise, Tiffany has become excited about
reading and has confidence in doing so. Suzy says that Tiffany, “Loves
her FAST Friend and is disappointed if she can’t come.” Tiffany
shares with everyone which days she meets with her friend and they
talk about everything. Through FAST Friends, Tiffany has grown
a lot and hopes one-day to encourage others the way that her friend
has encouraged her.
Past Success Stories:
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