Support Barbara's Journey to Stability

This is Barbara.

Two weeks ago my husband met her while entering Washington square park while she stopped and asked him directions for Segwick Street. My husband obliged and proceeded to his walk with our dog. There had been rolling storms in Chicago, she was soaked. He said something in him made him turn around and watch her. He saw her continue at a snails pace with her walker ask several more people how to get to Sedgwick. He walked up to her and asked if she’d like company walking. They walked over a mile together going to and being turned away from not one but two shelters. I received a phone call from him asking me to pick him and “this nice woman Barbara” up by the Segwick stop. I pulled up to a senior woman, with a walker, wet with all her belongings hanging (also dripping). My husband insisted on finding her a place to sleep that night so we found a safe hotel down the street from us and got her settled for the night. We washed her clothes, got her socks, underwear and food. We picked her up the next morning at 8am to take her to the police station and call 311 to start her case. She had no phone, no wallet, nothing. Just her senior CTA card because that’s where she had been living for the past few months. I know this because I took apart her bags to make sure everything could dry and fill in the blanks where she needed.

We arrived at the Larrabee police station where we were told Salvation Army would pick her up. If you’re not familiar with the homeless shelter system SA is contracted out by the city in which people call 311, start a case and wait for their call to place you in a shelter. But how can they call someone without a phone? So we got her a phone. Lunch..Dinner.. the evening passes and we get her cozy to sleep at the station. Even sleeping on the bench she said it was the safest she had felt in a long time. Another day.. a third day. We got her a better sleeping situation with a mat for night time and finally broke through with some officers. Two officers helped escalate her case to DFSS and we got her a case worker. Day four.. day five.. two officers, a case worker, and myself and my husband and we made no progress. Sunday morning comes around and the less compliant group outside the police station were being scooped up to go to the south side holding facility, in which they lumped in Barbara. She called us immediately and was scared. Holding facilities do not require sobriety or have curfews which makes for a dangerous place for elderly and those seeking to maintain their sobriety. We were able to get her breakfast and chocolate ice cream - something she decided on to celebrate her 50 days sober. We both cried knowing we had no control over what was about to happen. The next morning I called Salvation Army so many times I’m surprised I don’t have a restraining order (thank you SA!). With some luck I spoke with a kind young man on the last five minutes of his shift. I begged and pleaded for a bottom bunk. Anywhere anything safe. About an hour later with some good news. They found her a placement. While it took her a moment to adjust, our Barbara is now settled and is almost exactly where I picked up her and my husband. A full circle moments Throughout getting to know her she has never once asked us for anything. None of it. She was grateful the entire time and has shown us how dedicated to her sobriety and improving her life she is. She has taught us the meaning of a second change and the power in making a choice. She is partially blind but enjoys reading her Bible and connecting with others in group therapy. She was previously estranged from her son but now on a better path her team is working to track him down and unite them once again. She now has two incredible case workers, a doctor and we are in the process of finding her long term housing with supportive memory care (she suffered a stroke about nine months ago). Because she was robbed while living on the train she doesn’t have access to her social security (we’re in the process of getting everything back for her) she has had no money for anything. Today we celebrated Barb’s 60th day of sobriety and are so proud of her progress (chocolate was included!) Wed love to be able to get her some new clothes for the fall and winter as all she currently owns is munch lighter attire. Our goal of $500 will help get her some pants, sweaters, shoes and a winter coat. Every little bit helps. Thank you for even the tiniest donation, I know it means the world to Barbara.