Success Stories

Martha's Story

Martha Vega was 18 years old, living in Penjamo, Guanajuato, Mexico, going to the University and very happy with her life. Her father called her one-day and asked if she would like to come join him in the United States. She simply said, "No, I am very happy here." He then said that if her mother came, she would also need to come. Martha knew her mother wanted to be with her husband so she called her father back and said that she would come after all. For some reason, her brother and mother had no problem obtaining their passports but Martha had to wait an extra month before she could come to the United States. It was scary for Martha to come across the border alone, speaking no English. But once she arrived in Fresno, where her parents were, everything was fine - almost. The only positions in that area were farm labor jobs and Martha told her parents that she wanted to work out of the fields. Martha wanted to move to Ukiah, so she called two cousins who said she and her family could come live with them.

Her first job in Ukiah was at McDonalds and the work was depressing. She knew she was capable of doing something better. At first the Ukiah school system wanted enroll Martha in high school but she insisted that she was beyond that. After all, she had been attending a University in Mexico. She decided to take classes at Mendocino College instead and it helped ease her homesickness for her family and friends. While she was at Mendocino College, California Human Development Corporation (CHDC) gave a presentation about their program. She asked CHDC for help and they assisted her by enrolling her for classes to obtain her high school equivalency. At the same time, they helped her earn money through a Work Experience contract and worked at the CHDC Farmworker Services office in Ukiah as an office assistant. She continued her English classes at the college while working at CHDC.

After obtaining her GED she went to Mendocino College full time for a year working toward her AA in Business Administration. After a year she realized she needed to find a job. While she was attending an orientation class at Mendocino Works Employment Center, the presenter mentioned that Certified Nursing Assistant training was available. She had never considered that type of work before and it appealed to her so she decided to give it a try.

Martha was re-enrolled as a client of CHDC where she was assisted in applying for the Certified Nursing Assistant program at Valley View Nursing Home. CHDC also assisted her with related assistance, such as expenses for rent and uniforms, while she attended training. The training took three months during which she was paid. The first month and a half she attended classes and the rest of the time was split between classes and on the job training on the nursing home floor. After she completed the course, Martha took the state Certified Nursing Assistant Training exam, passed and obtained her license. She continues to work at Valley View Nursing Home enjoying the work where she has met many wonderful people. Martha is very proud of her accomplishments especially her ever increasing fluency in English. She continues to attend Mendocino College part time, working on completing her AA in Business Administration. "None of what I have been able to accomplish in Ukiah would have been possible without the help from CHDC".

She regularly visits her sisters, grandmother and friends in her hometown, Penjamo. She is there now. Becoming bilingual has become an advantage in both countries because there are many Americans living in Penjamo. Martha is once again happy living and working in Ukiah and being able to visit Mexico for part of the summer and during December.

Maria Carmen's Story

Maria Carmen received a cold call from California Human Development Corporation explaining our services. Carmen had always been interested in entering the medical field, but life had not given her the opportunity. She wanted to attend school but could not afford the expense and worked instead to help her husband provide for her family.

Carmen came to the United States from Tizapan, Jalisco with her father when she was fourteen. Her mother arrived three years later then her two sisters and brother. Carmen attended the local high school for three months, and then she got married and became a stay home Mom to take care of her three sons.

Carmen worked at various jobs which included picking grapes, and for a time worked as a housekeeper. She received her GED in 1993 by challenging the class and passing the exam. I asked her how she was able to learn to speak English without attending high school or the GED classes. Carmen explained "I learned to speak English when I was working at Konocti Harbor Inn as a housekeeper and also by watching T.V. I had to learn to speak English for my work".

When she received our phone call Carmen was excited. At our initial meeting I explained the WIA 167 Program and mentioned that during her training we could possibly be able to provide her with supportive services that would assist her and her family survive while she was in training. Maria recently explained that she would not have been able to attend the training without the extra help. CHDC provided assistance with the course costs in addition to rent, utility and allowance payments. "I could not have gone to school if you had not helped me" Carmen stated.

Carmen applied and was accepted into the Medical Assistant class at Ukiah's Regional Occupation Program. She excelled in her class, and was always eager to learn anything that involved the medical field. After the five month course, she completed her 180 externship, a state requirement, at Dr. John Lovejoy office. There she experienced hands on techniques and also learned how to work with the public, which Carmen had always enjoyed.

All of Carmen's hard work paid off. She took the state exam and received the California State Board Medial Assistant Certificate. Then with her GED, Medical Assistant Certificate and CPR card in hand, CHDC assisted Carmen in locating a position as a Medical Assistant. It did not take long. She is currently working with her exit employer and enjoys working in Dr. Morrison's office.

Carmen is one of many fortunate individuals who can not wait to get to work. She loves her job, gets along with all her co-workers, and most of all is able to help people.

Matt's Story

Matt is one of many successful graduates of REI's Work Service training program. He attended REI from 1983 to 1988 and returned to REI in 1992 and worked in our base program and in Supported Employment Groups for a while. He did well and with the assistance of REI's Job Developer landed his first job with J.C. Penny Co in February 1995. Matt was ready to move on in May of 2000 and with assistance from REI's Job Developer and the Department of Rehabilitation found a new job at Kmart. Matt decided to leave Kmart after learning of their bankruptcy and again REI helped him find work this time at G & G Market in Santa Rosa. Matt has worked as a courtesy clerk since April 2002 and is one of their most dedicated and conscientious employees. He is an excellent bagger, always making sure to pack his customer's groceries carefully. He cheerfully goes out to the car when they need help. Matt also does price checks and other duties in the store. Matt is very dependable are rarely misses work. He is well liked by his supervisors and co-workers, and sometimes goes on fishing trips or other outings with friends he has made at G&G.

Matt is very happy with his job and enjoys feeling useful to the community, as well as earning a paycheck. He has been a faithful employee and with minimal support from his job coach he is very stable, always striving to do his best. He has a good sense of humor, a captivating smile, and is very loyal to his friends.

Though he is very independent and rides the bus to work, one of his personal goals is to someday get a car so he can have more freedom of movement on his timetable. He lives in Santa Rosa with his wife Ginger, who also works with Redwood Empire Industries at the Work Services training program and with Earstrings in a Supported Employment Group.

Maggie's Story

Maggie entered her diversion program as a broken, meth addicted 23 year old. Her lifeless blond hair hung shoulder length, her teeth already discolored and brittle. Maggie was born to a prison mom and raised by her drug addicted aunt and step-uncle. By age twelve, Maggie had already experienced alcohol and marijuana, and had been molested by her step-uncle and several of his "buddies". This was a life that felt "normal" to Maggie. By age 17 she was pregnant with her first child. Maggie, her 42 year old husband, and baby lived in their van. She and her "man" smoked meth daily. By age 22 Maggie had given birth to two more children - one with her husband and the other was fathered by his friend. California Child Protective Services removed all three children shortly after the last one was born. Maggie and her husband were arrested for possession of methamphetamine in a house raid. Maggie's husband went to prison on a parole violation and Maggie was referred to drug diversion.

Maggie was required to attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings three times per week and find a sponsor. She was required to drug test and attend early recovery groups. In addition, she was referred to women's sexual assault groups and individual one-on-one counseling. Maggie had to much free time on her hands and a lot of deep seeded problems. Her alternative to diversion was 90 days of incarceration. Several months into her diversion program the dam broke. Maggie had a painful breakthrough and decided it was time to either end, or change her life. With support systems in place, Maggie decision was for change.

Today, Maggie lives in a clean and sober house with other recovering addicts. She is fully engaged in NA and has a wonderful sponsor. Maggie works full-time for a landscaping company and continues to attend women's support groups. She stopped by the other day to say she was in contact with her children and working toward reunification. With the hammer of the courts and the support of the community - miracles can (and do) happen.

Patrick's Story

Patrick entered drug diversion over two years ago for possession of methamphetamine, although marijuana was his drug of choice. Patrick admitted to smoking marijuana daily for most of his teen and adult life. For over a year, Patrick was in and out of the program for violations of missed appointments and testing positive for marijuana. On Patrick's third attempt at diversion he was given an ultimatum - test clean or go to jail. Patrick looked at the effect jail would have on his family and job. He decided to take the program seriously.

Patrick completed diversion three months later; completely clean from all substances for the first time in twenty years. His gratitude was profound. His clean time gave him the opportunity to save money, move into a new home, gain respect from loved ones, and earn a job promotion. Patrick and his wife renewed their wedding vows two weeks ago and are having a baby who was conceived drug free.

Patrick's words upon exiting diversion were "thank you for sticking with me and kicking my butt." "I have never felt better or been happier in my life."

Marijuana use may be perceived as the natural high, non-addictive and a medicinal relaxant. However, many years of experience and study now show that marijuana is clearly addictive, a major carcinogen and simply put "makes people lazy."

Just ask Patrick.

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