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Supporting Children
& Youth
Success Story
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
Success Story
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
Success Story
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
Success Story
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
Success Story
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.
2004 Success Stories
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