Success Stories
Reunited!
by Crystal RuffinWhen I got client LK’s case back in Sept 2019 I she is going every Thursday to visit her daughter for 1 hour a week in Contra Costa County with highly supervised visits. She was also attending CFT meeting, which was a meeting with LK, the CPS, the Parent Support, the Child Advocate, and myself where we discussed the likelihood of LK getting her daughter back. I attended the first one and listened to the guy from CPS speak about LK’s past and all the things she did before coming to ABF, and how her staff would have her miss her appt's which was prohibited by the courts.
LK was just sitting quietly, seems sad and hopeless!
I spoke for LK; I asked the guy on why he continued to speak about her past if she is now following the orders of the court.
The next day, I took LK to court and spoke to her attorney and asked if she could get some credit for following the court orders since being with A Bright Future.
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I explained to him our services and asked if she could get more time with her daughter besides the allowed one-hour-a-week. He said he would ask the Judge.
The attorney asked me if I would be willing to testify for LK's behalf. I got it approved by my supervisor and I did.
It was tough, as I have never been on a witness stand and felt the pressure from the Prosecutor. I spoke up for my client and plead for them not to look at her past failures. I testified that since Sept 2019, LK has not missed and would not miss any appointment in the future. The attorney told me that the Judge was impressed and that I would finish my next testimony at the next court hearing.
Just when things start to get clearer, Corona Virus hit, and the courts were closed.
One day, I received a call from CPS, and he said that there is a strong possibility that LK would be getting her daughter back into her home. It was a moment of happiness. On April 28th, the CSP called again and said that the Judge approved LK’s case, and that LK was granted to be on an extended visit to her daughter – an opportunity for LK to show the court that she will take good care for her daughter.
April 30th was the day. The daughter came home to be with her mommy!
LK is adjusting well to her new mommy role and she has a lot of support from her A Bright Future, Inc. staff every day.
Watch their touching reunion on the button below.
Breaking Bad Habit
by Crystal BonnardC was one of our clients that would escalate several times a week. It could be because her favorite staff was not working that day, she ran out of cigarettes, or her roommate was getting what she thought to be more attention than what she was receiving.
After making some dramatic changes to her living environment and situation, C has made some great progress. It has been 3 months (as of writing) since she last smoked a cigarette, and she is so proud of herself. She no longer has a roommate, so her behaviors have gone down tremendously.
C is very excited to continue making progress with her independent living, and she cannot wait to share the next chapter of her Success Stories with you all. Good Job, C!
Never Too Late
by Reajean RobinsonWe are so excited to share with you just one of many successes here in the East Bay. We currently support 18 adults in the East Bay and approximately 14 of our participants have success stories. For now, here is one:
One of our many success stories is of a gentleman who is in his 40s, who desperately wanted to further his education and attend college. He originally wanted to enroll specifically to Ohlone Community College due to the support they provide to those who are differently abled. He was looking for a College that would support him with various life and education skills: chores, gardening, geography, math etc. and will be a step towards a more independent life.
As he and his support team-member headed by Reajean navigated the educational system in the East Bay. They were able to tour some Colleges, even meeting some of the teachers of the classes he would be attending.
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Once he toured Fremont Adult School Noll Center, he decided that this would be the best college to support him and his wants, due to their SAS (Student Accessibility Services). The school’s primary goal is to support those who are differently abled meet their life skill needs by enabling them diverse abilities to function independently in their communities.
This participant’s circle of support, which includes his parents, were very concerned regarding him attending a College and his transportation to and from College.
Reajean was able to communicate assisting the participant to advocate for what he wants. She has gained the trust of this participants “circle of support” and they are very appreciative of her assertion, persistence, and dedication to their loved one and she now has all their support. She even began transportation training with this individual which has built his confidence in independency.
This gentleman has enrolled in the College hewanted to attend and has signed up for 4 classes. Goodluck Mister, enjoy your schooling.