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Changing Lives, One at a Time
Volunteers, Partners, Contributors Make the Difference
September 1, 2007

For everyone, the fall seems to be a hectic time of year, and the same is true at United Way of Morris County.  Our volunteers, partners, initiatives, and campaigns are all in high gear; sometimes it is easy to get caught up in the furious pace, and forget why all this work is being tackled.

Every meeting, every conversation, every decision is based on a very simple goal...to make someone's life better.

And, as we all know, the changing of one life is really so much more.  The ripple effect of true change for one person will ultimately change a family, a school, a neighborhood for the better, too.

Here are some success stories to remind us all about the power of change, and how that change, even if it seems on a small scale of “just one,” will ultimately enhance the lives of many.

Peace for an Apprehensive Caregiver
Friendship House Adult Day Care Center  (Visiting Nurse Association of Northern New Jersey)
For more than five years after her husband, "Frank," was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, "Maria" cared for him by herself.  Fueled by her love and devotion for her husband and memories of their wonderful life together, she dismissed the concerns of family and friends who worried about "burn out."  In May, she finally conceded that it was time to at least consider a day care alternative that would provide a much-needed and long overdue respite.  Once she found Friendship House, she grew much more comfortable with the concept.

"The Friendship House staff  help both the client and caregiver.  I am amazed by the amount of personalized attention that they consistently provide," Maria observed.  "I am at peace for the first time in a very long time.  Before I found Friendship House, I was constantly worrying about my husband and rushing home to make sure he was alright.  Now, I am even able to work part-time at my son's office to keep my own mind sharp."

Although the activities he participates in at Friendship House are a far cry from the work he once performed as an educator, 75 year-old Frank is happy to go to Friendship House. Furthermore, his wife believes that he has more moments of lucid conversation since he has been attending the center.  "Friendship House has been a blessing for both of us," Maria said.

United Way is proud to support the important accomplishments of Friendship House.

Two Vulnerable Lives Are Strengthened
Hope Connection  (Hope House)
A care management organization referred a priority mother/son situation to the free Hope Connection Program at Hope House.  The 86-year-old mother, "Estelle," who suffers with severe osteoporosis and bone cancer, cares for her quadriplegic son who is completely wheelchair and bed bound.

The vulnerable pair experienced a troubling situation when the Estelle fell and was helpless on the floor for 8+ hours because the son couldn't get to the phone for help.  Hope House was able to install a complimentary Hope Connection system, providing both mother and son immediate access to help.  Estelle now wears a pendant activator around her neck while the son has a wrist activator allowing him to use his chin or nose to push the button.  
With the help of United Way, The Hope Connection not only provides the "peace of mind" this loving mother and son deserves, but a service they would not otherwise be able to afford.

Daughter Cared For, While Mom Gets Back on Her Feet
Y Kids After School Program  (Morris Center YMCA)
"Deb," a homeless mother, enrolled her daughter in the after school program in the Morris Plains School District.  Deb was staying at the Jersey Battered Women's Shelter and had to find a full-time job; she desperately needed care for her child after school.  After her daughter had been in our program for one month, Beth wrote a letter to tell how thankful she was to be enrolled in the program, stating, "getting up on my feet again with three young children has not been easy, but with the support of the Morris Center YMCA for my childcare needs I have been able to find and hold a full-time job."

Because of this assistance and help from United Way, Beth has continued to become self- sufficient and is now a homeowner in Summit.  Her daughter has been in the program for two years and has grown from a quiet and insecure child to an outgoing, confident second-grader.

Winning the Depression Battle
Community Mental Health Education & Consumer Empowerment Service   (Mental Health Association of Morris County)
"Susanna" is a 55 year old who suffers from depression.  Susanna struggled with her depression for many years and as a result had a difficult time communicating with others causing her to isolate herself from social activities.

Susanna was lonely.  One of her few friends attended the Mental Health Association's Consumer Advocacy Program and encouraged Susanna to go with her.  Susanna finally got the courage to go although she was nervous about what to say and what others would think of her.  At first, she felt overwhelmed but as the meeting went on she began to feel comfortable.

Susanna began going weekly to meetings and became a CAP member.  She also started going to the Social Club, a program that introduces consumers to low or no cost activities. Susanna liked the Club because it gave her a chance to do new and fun activities she normally couldn't do on her own.  Over time she no longer felt scared to talk and began to open up to others.

After being active in CAP for several years, Susanna decided that she wanted to do more for others.  The Peer to Peer Support Line had just started where consumers provided telephone support to other consumers, and Susanna thought that this was something she could be good at.  She began working on the Peer Line and felt like she was making a difference.

If you ask Susanna today what helped during her recovery she will tell you that it was the support of the MHA staff and consumers, working on the Peer Line, and being involved in the programs at the MHA.  These life-changing programs are supported by United Way.