Terry is a peer counselor and vocational specialist who comes to her job with enthusiasm, hopefulness and wisdom. These valuable and appreciated job qualities come from her own experiences of navigating social service systems from an early age. Terry is sensitive to the challenges others face in recovery, whether its recovery from substance use disorders, poverty, food insecurity, or unstable living environments. With this built-in sensitivity, Terry has successfully learned how to help others help themselves. As she says, "I've been through every system in Clark County.' And this is extremely useful for her work as a peer counselor. "I need to be able to help them change their entire life, not just a piece of it".
Reflecting on life without supports: I remember going down there [old welfare office] and trying to sign up for welfare but it was so overwhelming and so confusing and none of it made sense. And no matter what they said I couldn't understand them. And so I tried to go down there and I tried to sign up and I couldn't figure it out. Or I would go down there and they'd say, "Oh, you're 10 minutes late." And I'd go down there--and I was walking because I had no bus pass and pushing him [baby son] in his stroller and he was hungry. And they're like, "Oh, no, you're three minutes late."
Resources that Terry has first-hand experience with and shares with others:
YWCA: The YWCA was one of the first resources Terry tapped into herself and through the Y she was able to obtain shared living space for her and her son as well as take parenting classes. She reminds people that many parents did not grow up with nurturing parents and these classes are critical for filling in the gaps. Overall, Terry summarized "They gave me the resources and the tools and taught me how to be independent". It was also through the YWCA that Terry was referred to Clearview's Hope and Vocational Grant.
Second Step Housing: "After I went through Y housing, I got into Second Step housing, and I got my own apartment. The location has changed but I know where they are located and can direct people to them".
Section 8 housing: Terry has also successfully applied for and obtained Section 8 housing and lived in housing as a result of subsidized support.
Clark County P.O. support: Terry attributes much of her own recovery to a probation officer (PO) who recognized in her a desire to change things in her life, for the sake of herself and her son. In many ways, this PO was her mentor and gave Terry ongoing support. "She didn't make me do any pre-bed checks. She didn't make me do anything. She called me on the 20th and said, "You're leaving in four days." And I went, "Oh no, that day's not good for me. My birthday's on the 29th and I just can't possibly go." And she's like, "Oh, no, you're going. You're going."
Work Opportunities Program/Clark County Community Health: Terry also described benefiting from the Work Opportunities Program and the support she received to move from part-time to full-time work. Tapping into the local one-stop career services gave Terry support to achieve full-time work.
Committee membership: Terry was invited to sit in on several committees at Clearview including the Hope and Vocational Grant committee and the Vision Recovery committee. She believes that they may have been required to have a consumer on the committees but ultimately she benefited from them, sharing her opinions, and learning from the other members.
Recognition: Not too long ago, Terry was recognized at Clearview for her success at the program, reaching many of her goals but also serving as a mentor to many in the recovery community. This is one of several recognitions she has received and this one hangs on the Wall of Fame at the offices.