Success Stories

Paula

Paula has overcome tremendous challenges in her life. She was abused as a teen and dealt with it alone. To escape the pain, she sought comfort in drugs and alcohol. An unplanned pregnancy in her early 20’s forced her to change her life for the better.

Years later, she again found herself in a failing marriage. Now the mother of two, she was alienated from her “happily ever after” that she so desperately wanted. Looking to get her life back on track, Paula moved to Oklahoma City in search of a fresh start.

Her fresh start was anything but pleasant. After taking in a young pregnant women, she discovered the women’s boyfriend had brought stolen property into her home. Paula was arrested and taken to jail.

Her saving grace was NorthCare, a United Way Partner Agency focused on promoting recovery and new levels of independence. She was released from jail into NorthCare’s Day Reporting Program, where she reported to the center once a day and via telephone twice a day. The program held Paula accountable and put her on the track to recovery.

“I’m thankful NorthCare saw my potential,” Paula stated. “I needed someone to look at me as a person and say you do have the potential and you don’t have to live the type of life you’ve been living.”

After successfully completing many programs at NorthCare, Paula wanted to give back to the people who helped her reach her full potential. She became a Peer Recovery Support Specialist and received her credentials to practice throughout the United States.

Day by day, with the continued support of NorthCare, Paula is feeling more comfortable with herself and her lot in life. “I’m happier and not as shy as I used to be…I’ve come out of my shell,” Paula exclaimed.
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Jannette

Enduring a life of abuse from her father and then her first husband, Janette had every reason to distrust men. Until the day she met a wonderful man who put her first and took care of her needs above his own. They married a year later. She had never been so happy in and couldn’t imagine life without him.

Ten years into their marriage they received disheartening news: her husband was diagnosed with emphysema. They were thankful this was treatable, but devastating news followed.  A cancerous mass was found on his lungs. Her husband died less than a year later.

The heartbreak was too much for Janette. She shut herself off from the world for two years. Then she received a referral to NorthCare, an outpatient behavioral health center providing sensitive and diverse services, and decided to give it a try. She found the counselors at NorthCare truly cared about her and her recovery.

Janette has thrived at the facility and found her true calling - teaching. She is a certified Peer Support Recovery Specialist who shares her experience to help others.

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Central Oklahoma Turning Point

Through our focus on Healthy Citizens, United Way is proud to support Central Oklahoma Turning Point, a grassroots effort to inspire personal health changes.  In 2007, Turning Point received a $70,000 grant for faith-based groups to create health and wellness programs.  21 organizations were chosen to participate in communities from El Reno to Shawnee and Norman to Guthrie.

Each location’s program was unique.  Southern Nazerene University (SNU) chose to offer programs using resources they have on campus.  Their pool was the perfect spot for water aerobics for students and families from the nearby Bethany Elementary and Middle Schools.

61-year-old Beverly’s daughters knew their mom would love water aerobics. They encouraged her to try it despite her concerns about her bad knees.  Beverly noticed a difference the morning following her first class. She got out of bed and could walk normally, rather than taking baby steps due to her knee pain.

“It is wonderful to meet new people and to have such kind instructors who are concerned and want to make sure that everyone is getting the most out of the class,” Beverly shares with a smile.

Because the grant provided the ability to buy equipment and supplies, many of the programs have continued either with volunteers or as part of the organization’s budget. Beverly and hundreds like her can continue to enjoy these health and wellness programs as they strive to become healthy citizens.