Community Resource Connection Inc

Ten years ago a young woman walked into my office in tears.  Her husband, who suffered with chemical dependency issues, had left her with their 3 children.  He had taken both of their paychecks and she was left without any form of transportation, rent money, or child care. One of her children had spent the night in the emergency room having suffered a serious asthma attack.  In the two hours that followed her arrival we worked together to secure; emergency rent funds, child care subsidy, a day care provider, medical assistance, subsidized housing, WIC services, Early Headstart, Energy Assistance, AA, Food support, and a public health nurse visit for her son. She did not travel from office to office; but rather I worked with her from one site to eliminate each issue that she faced. She returned to work the next day with services in place and she maintained her job with only 1 day of pay lost.  We did not create any new services for her we simply listened to her in her time of crisis, helped her identify the supports she needed, helped her obtain and complete the applications that were required, and enabled all of this from one location.  The service system can prove confusing and indtimidating, particulary when we are in crisis and we aren't thinking clearly. CRC works to eliminate confusion and helps people use existing services effectively so that they can obtain and maintain self sufficiency.  This woman continues to hold her job to this day.  She has remarried and has now purchased a home. She has given back to the community far more than she borrowed when times were tough!