Around Labor Day Weekend 2016, my parents and I toured 29 Palms/ First Place. I knew I wanted to live there as I met some of the staff on the tour and we quickly connected! After that I had an interview at SARRC's 16th Street office and after the interview I reconnected with some of the rest of the SARRC staff who I knew through participation in past programs.
After the interview, I was accepted and my mom had to convince me to call people as I wanted to keep the announcement on the down low in case anything changed. I called my my grandparents, boyfriend and friends to let them know. I realized I had a brighter future ahead. One that consisted of independent living, making new friends and reconnecting with and getting to know new and returning staff members better.
We moved shortly after I was accepted and I felt welcomed right away. I made new friendships and developed professional relationships with staff. I also started to develop independent living skills like doing laundry, cooking my own meals and asking for help appropriately. The first few months were rough as I did not know what to do and would often text my mom for advice. I started to ask staff for advice and help when I did not know what to do.
Fast forward to today, I am thriving living on my own- I am almost on the second level or phase for daily checks, have passed several Uber probes and have become really social. Recently we had new freshmen students start and they often talk to me. As we learned about in a class called PEERS for Young Adults, we trade info, discover a common in terest and trade contact info (phone number and email address) to text and email.
I have also gone on to chase my dreams. I am currently looking for a clerical job in an office setting. I have a few job interviews coming up! I am also looking into living at First Place Phoenix! With the support of staff from SARRC, I feel like I have a new lease on life.
To cap it all off, last week several students and staff and I planned a successful "surprise" goodbye send off for one of the staff members who is leaving. We surprised her last Friday and she told me several times this week how special she felt. As she was talking about the party, I knew we made her feel so special and left her with a memory she'll never forget, which was our goal! We achieved our goal of honoring the staff member so what's next- no surprise parties for a while unless we find out someone else needs one. We also accomplished something that was on a post assessment which was to plan a party!
After the interview, I was accepted and my mom had to convince me to call people as I wanted to keep the announcement on the down low in case anything changed. I called my my grandparents, boyfriend and friends to let them know. I realized I had a brighter future ahead. One that consisted of independent living, making new friends and reconnecting with and getting to know new and returning staff members better.
We moved shortly after I was accepted and I felt welcomed right away. I made new friendships and developed professional relationships with staff. I also started to develop independent living skills like doing laundry, cooking my own meals and asking for help appropriately. The first few months were rough as I did not know what to do and would often text my mom for advice. I started to ask staff for advice and help when I did not know what to do.
Fast forward to today, I am thriving living on my own- I am almost on the second level or phase for daily checks, have passed several Uber probes and have become really social. Recently we had new freshmen students start and they often talk to me. As we learned about in a class called PEERS for Young Adults, we trade info, discover a common in terest and trade contact info (phone number and email address) to text and email.
I have also gone on to chase my dreams. I am currently looking for a clerical job in an office setting. I have a few job interviews coming up! I am also looking into living at First Place Phoenix! With the support of staff from SARRC, I feel like I have a new lease on life.
To cap it all off, last week several students and staff and I planned a successful "surprise" goodbye send off for one of the staff members who is leaving. We surprised her last Friday and she told me several times this week how special she felt. As she was talking about the party, I knew we made her feel so special and left her with a memory she'll never forget, which was our goal! We achieved our goal of honoring the staff member so what's next- no surprise parties for a while unless we find out someone else needs one. We also accomplished something that was on a post assessment which was to plan a party!
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