Client Finds Home and Healing

Information by State  Print version  Email this to a friend   Fredonia Place in Longview

Since 1989, Sabine Valley Center Mental Health Mental Retardation has operated Fredonia Place, a transitional housing program in Longview for homeless persons who have been diagnosed with severe and persistent mental illness. HUD funds this project under the Supportive Housing Program (SHP), one of the Department’s homeless assistance programs.

The success of the Fredonia Place program is evidenced by the testimonies of program participants like the one you are about to meet. This former client currently serves on the Fredonia Place Board of Directors.

"I want to tell you the story of a journey - the long, painful journey of recovery. I took a walk down a road which had a deep hole - I immediately fell in; I struggled to get out. I took another walk on the same road and fell in the hole again; I took the same road and fell into the hole yet again. I took a different road. I am sharing with you about the people and situations that helped me along the way to attain my goals.

I had three strikes against me: mental illness, chemical dependency, and homelessness. A home is the most basic of human needs. When I lost my home (and many other things), I lost my security, my self-esteem, and my hope. In place of these emotions came fear, sadness, and depression.

When I became a client of Sabine Valley, the first thing that was addressed was finding me a place to live. Thank God for Fredonia House, Beverly and Charlotte! Fredonia is not only a secure place to live, it is a place of healing; however, without the correct medications, controlling my symptoms of mental illness (Bipolar) and staying sober would certainly be impossible. I knew this from years of struggling to get out of the hole! Suzanne Kelley of Dual Diagnosis took me to see Dr. Murphy, took me to pick up my medications, and gave me the most encouragement I'd had in years. I cannot stress enough how important it was for my illnesses to be treated equally. I had been in treatment centers, but these were unsuccessful because the focus was on substance abuse and my mental illness was ignored. It gave me such hope to be part of a program that understands that these two devastating illnesses are intertwined and cannot be separated. Suzanne organized DRA (Dual Recovery Anonymous) meetings, which I attended once a week. I learned that I was not alone in my addiction or with my mental illness.

Living at Fredonia House, my road to recovery began: I learned many important ways to avoid my hole in the road. I was made aware, everyday, that I am a worthwhile person who deserves good things. I learned to recognize the symptoms of my illness and things to do in order to better control it. I was taught how to interact with my peers. We were each assigned daily chores, and I began to regain my sense of responsibility. The class at Fredonia that was the most important to me was [one on] learning to set life goals. I cannot stress enough how much this helped me. What a sense of accomplishment when I slowly began to achieve these goals!

Another important step in regaining my independence was the “Little House” program. Could I make it without the regimen of the “Big House”? I could! This was an excellent step to independent living, and I began to have the confidence that I could live in my own home. Then there was the practical side of moving out. During the months at the "Little House", the rent I paid (30% of my income) was saved for me. When the time came, I had money for a deposit on an apartment, utilities, and all the other expenses that normally would be insurmountable.

After I moved into my apartment, transportation was a major problem. Supported Housing and Dual Diagnosis made sure I got to where I needed to go!

All of the programs I have mentioned helped me to save my life. They helped me with love, encouragement, and patience. All my needs were met.

Thank you, Sabine Valley!"

--A grateful client