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IVANDA’S STORY
Ivanda worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) until an unfortunate tragedy struck not once but twice. A severe car accident prevented her from working in a job she truly loved. When her landlord sold the building, Ivanda lost her apartment. A single mom with two young children, she was desperate and had nowhere else to turn for help. Ivanda’s children were enrolled in the Children’s Friend Early Head Start and Head Start programs. As a parent, she was very involved in their education. She soon began to build great relationships with the Children’s Friend teaching team. She was also very excited to welcome her Family Advocate, Paty, into her home for monthly visits. Besides providing educational development support, Paty also provided Ivanda with donations of food, clothing, diapers and help with mounting utility bills.
Substance-affected families participated in intensive home-based services designed to help parents overcome addiction while safely parenting their children.
news that a three-bedroom apartment had become available. Although the rental contract was just for one year, it provided her with time to regroup, gain her emotional strength, and find a job. She’d also have time to work on being independent and self-sufficient.
Needless to say, this family has experienced some challenging times during the past few years. The COVID- 19 pandemic has profoundly impacted the families we serve, making already difficult circumstances all the more complicated.
Through it all, Children’s Friend has been a lifeline offering comfort and support in so many ways. In helping this family, Paty received a great sense of satisfaction in the knowledge that, in some small way, she is helping to ensure the safety and betterment of someone’s life.
As she affirms, “This family is one of the biggest reasons why I love my job.”
Ivanda began to build a trusting relationship with Paty. She disclosed details about the abuse she experi- enced as a child, a secret shared with no one except her Family Advocate. Paty immediately connected Ivanda with various resources to receive the necessary therapy to help her cope with her feelings of despair.
In addition to her childhood trauma, Ivanda sought counseling for an emo- tionally, psychologically, and verbally abusive relationship with the father of her children, a man she has known since the age of 18. She reached out to her Family Advocate, who was there for her and provided emotional support, guidance, and encouragement. “Ivanda is incredibly strong,” Paty said, “and has endured much hardship in her life.”
Ivanda finally had the courage and support to break away from this abusive relationship. Paty helped find a safe place to land, and she moved to a shelter in Middletown, RI. In the
THIS FAMILY IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST REASONS WHY I LOVE MY JOB.
early weeks of the pandemic, this was the only place to accept Ivanda and her children. She was thankful to have a place to stay even though it was a small, one-room apartment far from her community. Paty continued to support this family during these unprecedented times, especially the overwhelming stress and depression about certain situations in her life.
Paty recommended that the family be placed on a waiting list for McAuley Village, a nonprofit organization sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy and a partner of Children’s Friend. Soon after, Ivanda shared the good
2020 ANNUAL REPORT [ 7 ]