Amidst the dazzling lights of the Hero Hearts Extravaganza, Saturday February 24th, an unforgettable moment unfolded as P.B., a WAYS member, stepped into the spotlight to share her poignant narrative. Last weekend, she stood before our guests, courageously recounting the trials she faced and how WAYS' embrace transformed her world. Her testimony resonated with the audience, offering a glimpse into the profound impact that WAYS' wraparound services have had on her life. Today, we embark on a deep dive into P.B.'s transformative journey, a testament to the resilience fostered by community support and the indelible mark left by organizations like WAYS for Life.
P.B. age 22, accidentally walked into the WAYS for Life member Christmas party in December 2022 when she was trying to find the Housing Authority of Brevard County to pay her rent. She had recently taken over her mother and grandmother’s rent after they passed away from COVID. When WAYS’ staff learned she was struggling financially, and suffering emotionally from grief, they welcomed P.B. to join WAYS and invited her to the Christmas party. After one year of receiving WAYS’ wraparound services, P.B.’s life has improved dramatically.
Over the course of a year, she received weekly mental health counseling for her grief, legal services to explain the lease terms and how to comply with the same, 30 weeks of life skills classes in the Lift Up program where she earned a lap top after the first 15 weeks, and a good used car after the second 15 weeks, food and household items from the pantry, a scholarship to a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program where she excelled and earned her CNA certificate, and help finding a good job in healthcare utilizing her CNA certificate.
P.B. currently works full-time as a CNA and plans to become a Licensed Nurse Practitioner (LPN). She earns several more dollars an hour because of the CNA certificate. The car she earned in the WAYS' Lift Up Life Skills program saves her hundreds of dollars a month in Uber costs to get to work. The WAYS for Life wraparound youth services brought P.B. financial stability in her housing and financial independence. She meets regularly with our WAYS’ Financial Coach Kimberly Henne for Financial Wellness Advice including budgeting her income and expenses. P.B. is a shining example of the power and positive impact of wraparound services. Enjoy the picture of P.B. taken on December 2, 2023, at the Lift Up Life Skills graduation party where she received her car.
Every young person approaching adulthood deserves a chance for success. If you are interested in volunteering with WAYS or joining our monthly donor club, please check out the links below.
