It is common knowledge that HOPES & DREAMS are rumbling desires waiting to burst from the hearts of every one of us to form as a pleasant reality in our lives.

These desires that lay within our hearts are not there for us alone, but also for the others we love and care for as well.  We are human, and we are all always HOPING for a better way and DREAMING for more, more, more.

Self-proclaimed realists feel that things like HOPES & DREAMS are what fairy tales are made of, but often fail to understand they are all that some people have in their lives to hold on to.

The fact is, not everyone is the same! There are people living without the luxuries that most have and take for granted in their day to day lives like an education, family support and guidance, the ability to work, or the ability to just socialize. I’m sure there are not enough fingers and toes to count the reasons or critical areas people are found to be less fortunate, but I do know several cling to their HOPES & DREAMS just to survive.

Without help from the HealthNet staff many people would not know how to even take the first step to fulfilling their own HOPES & DREAMS.

For instance, a family of four with two children who spent a majority of their childhood with an absent father due to his decade-long addiction to pain medicine. Their father lived in the same home with them, but was emotionally unavailable to them. Their fragile hearts and innocent minds needed what was missing from a strong father figure.

If it were not for the attentive care of the Behavioral Health team and the BIBs & Healthy Families staff, the children’s HOPES & DREAMS of ever having a happy family with a drug-free father would not be a reality today. Today this family is still working diligently to build on what they’ve lacked for so long, but continue to do so with loving hearts, and open minds.

HOPES & DREAMS can take many forms — some are external, material things and others are intrinsic and character-based — but none are more or less important than another.

_______________________________________________

What are your biggest hopes and dreams for YOUR family today?

In our everyday contact with homeless clients, we realize that the services we offer might be the last shred of hope that they have.

Most of our clients have exhausted both their formal and informal support networks, to the point that they find themselves relying on agencies and organizations for their very basic human needs: shelter, food and clothing.

For whatever reasons – unemployment, domestic violence, mental illness, physical disability, foreclosure or substance abuse to name a few — they find themselves homeless and trying to build a better foundation for their lives than the one they are currently standing on. When a person gets to the point where they are not able to provide the basic necessities for themselves and their families but wants that better life, where does hope come from?

Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing, the dawn will come. ~ ANNE LAMOTT

 

Image credit: kotangens / 123RF Stock Photo

 

 Our clients show up to the Homeless Initiative Program (H.I.P) knowing that we are here to help them navigate through the dark and sometimes unfamiliar process of going from homelessness to housed. There have been many times that a client will meet with me for the first time and say “I never thought I would be in this situation.” It’s humbling to know that sometimes, in spite of our own best intentions, life has a way of leading us down a path that we never thought we would go. 

And yet, they show up, on a daily basis, to try and do the right thing for themselves and their families. This includes attending our employment workshop to learn about employer employee relations, the correct way to fill out an application, what not to wear to an interview and the best way to showcase their skills and talents. All of this in the hopes that they will land a job to secure income that will help them acheive housing and become self-sufficient. 

Image credit: kotangens / 123RF Stock Photo

At HIP, we know that in order for our clients to reach that level of self-sufficiency they are striving for, it takes the help of our entire team working together with the client. The clients are changing behaviors and refocusing energy towards goals that they themselves have established. While it’s not easy to change one’s behaviors, they know that in order to make a better life for themselves and their families, change they must. 

Image credit: kotangens / 123RF Stock Photo

So where does hope come from? Hope comes from within ourselves, motivated by others surrounding us with the tools and knowledge to make our lives better.

While there’s life, there’s hope – Marcus Tullius Cicero

 ________________________________________________________

As one of the largest and most comprehensive programs for the homeless in the state, HIP provides a network of services to treat the whole person, as he or she moves from homelessness into housing, employment and self-sufficiency.

Last year, HIP served 3,095 homeless men, women and children and with your help we can change those numbers for the better! And, it does not take much to make a difference!

A gift of….

• $40 provides a homeless individual with two weeks’ worth of bus passes to get back and forth to a new job until they receive their first paycheck.
• $100 buys school uniforms, school supplies, and a toy for a homeless child.
• $500 provides a family with their first month of rent on a standard two-bedroom apartment.
• $1000 provides tuition for Certified Nursing Assistance (CNA) training and certification.

 Give HOPE to homeless families in Indy! Click here to help!

The idea of hope is always one that has captivated me.  What does it really mean to hope?  What does hope look like?  How can we obtain this illusive hope? 

You hear “hope makes anything possible” or “hope is what keeps us alive.”  When it comes down to it, how do you know if someone has it or doesn’t?

 I can say that it’s easy to recognize when one does not have hope.  As a behavioral health therapist, I have witnessed the harshness and cruelty of the absence of hope.  I have also seen those experiencing dark, crushing hopelessness regain their light.  This process is incredibly inspiring.  Though it appears hope is not something I can exactly put my finger on, it’s clear that it is a necessary part of our lives.  And an essential component to therapy.

 I think that’s a big reason people come through HealthNet’s doors and find themselves in the behavioral health department.  They want their hope back. 

It seems that this usually comes about in two ways.  The healing brought about by human connection and sharing one’s story is a powerful thing.  It also takes hard work!  Make no mistake that our patients that get their hope back and experience healing have committed to put in the time, effort, and energy to make changes in their lives.

 That’s the source of my hope.  Seeing others face all life can throw at them and come out on the other side.  I have witnessed change and the reclaiming of hope in all shapes and sizes.  From HealthNet’s youngest patients to HealthNet’s most seasoned.  From conversations I’ve had with other clinic staff, I know I’m not the only one inspired by the courage, strength, and hope of our patients.  My colleague, Bhumi, referenced HealthNet as a “safe place” in a previous blog post.  I think our clinics represent that safe place in providing hope to our patients.  Hope that what you’re dealing with can be addressed.  Hope that caring staff will meet you where you are.  Hope that we’ll figure this out together.  Though hope seems to be an illusive concept at times, there is no doubt it is powerful and something that I “hope” we provide to our patients in everyday interactions full of kindness, patience, and compassion.         

Learn more about HealthNet’s Behavioral Health Services!

In the spirit of the Olympics, we will be talking about hopes and dreams throughout August – for ourselves, our neighbors, our communities and our city.

We live in a difficult world, a broken world, and life is hard for most people most of the time — particularly for the families we serve.

We all get stuck in moments. And, we all need to be reminded that we aren’t alone in the places we feel stuck. The fears, pains and struggles our patients face are very real. It is our privilege to suggest that hope is real, and that help is real.

 Our health care providers see it happen, in lives changing as people get the help they need.  People sitting across from a therapist for the first time, or seeing a doctor for a condition that has been a nagging concern for years. People making decisions to lead healthier lives, in spite of rock hard circumstances.

We want to say that it’s worth it, that your life is worth fighting for, that it’s possible to change.

What you can expect…

- We will be holding conversations every Monday on Twitter, sharing favorite quotes, questions, and tips for reaching your personal goals and dreams. Lots of info will be shared throughout the entire day.  Look for the hashtag #moxiemonday and TUNE IN!

- We will feature blogs throughout the month from patients and staff who have amazing stories to share about life struggles and long sought-after goals that have become realities.

- Keep a lookout on our Facebook page for FACING FEARS FRIDAY! A giveaway will occur each Friday for those who participate.  Details, again, will be found on our Facebook page the day of the giveaways.

- Want us to keep you updated via email?? We will be sending out eBlasts every week to remind everyone what is going on and how to participate.  Sign up for our eBlasts now by clicking here to receive the Hopes & Dreams emails.

How you can directly help…

If you remember nothing else, please let it be that HealthNet very much needs your help! In order to expand our reach, we need support from people like you who crave to help their community.

If you like what you read in August, we are asking that you please consider forwarding these messages, links, tweets and Facebook posts to friends, family members, and work colleagues. By providing a little education and an easy way to get involved, we believe we can bring new awareness to our cause — especially with your encouragement.

Right now in Marion County, one in 17 of us lives in poverty. It’s a place where every day is hard. And, there is never enough. These families don’t want a hand out. They want a way out.

For the past 44 years, HealthNet has provided wrap-around services to help families do just that. And with your continued help, we can accomplish even more.