Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

Thinking, writing, business ideas … You're only a stranger once.

April 2, 2009

Storytelling Hits Home – Part 2

Liz wrote this at 7:45 am

In January I wrote a post about the subject of a documentary I am making. I talked about her community and how they had let her down and a little bit about our relationship. She has been in a women’s correctional facility, a jail, since then and we have maintained close contact. Well, as close as you can over a scant few phone calls that are monitored and letters someone else reads after she has written them. There is a chance that in a few weeks she may be released and has expressed the desire to enter a drug rehab program. I applauded her decision and was amazed when she told me there was no one to help her make this happen. I listened thinking this was the addict talking, making excuses, and offered encouragement but didn’t respond. After describing the lack of counseling in the facility she finally asked me to help.
  
And so it begins. Phone call after phone call, department after department: “No, we can’t refer. ” “She needs a counselor.” “I can’t talk to you about that.” Round and round I went. 

I am passionate about helping others. I am passionate about being an advocate for those who, for whatever reason, may not have a voice. But today, as I began advocating for someone close to me I kept hitting a wall. Today I was so frustrated I wanted to scream. Today I felt powerless, silent and ineffective. I have good intentions; I volunteer, serve on committees and volunteer boards. I promote non-profit online and wherever and whenever I can. 

What do we do when the systems we have in place to advocate and care for those disadvantaged in any and every way don’t work? How do we accept the fact that those processes put in place are not being managed in a manner that benefit those who need them? 

Again the community has let her down, and again tomorrow I will pick up the phone. 

photo credit: Amy Stark flickr
from: Kathryn Jennex aka @northernchick





Filed under Successful Blog | 14 Comments »




C'mon. Let's talk!

14 Comments to “Storytelling Hits Home – Part 2”

  1. April 2nd, 2009 at 8:02 am
    John W Bosley said

    Sorry to you have hit a wall, but at same time glad that you are making this public. If this was a rare occasion, then it would be one thing. Knowing that this is a norm, and yet the public either doesn’t see it or doesn’t want to is sad reflection on North America.:(

  2. April 2nd, 2009 at 8:12 am
    Joel said

    Wow, powerful post Kathryn.

    Good to see there are good people out there doing their best to help others.

    And really, really depressing to read that the system works against people like you sometimes.

    Hang in there, I hope it gets better.

  3. April 2nd, 2009 at 8:23 am
    Rachel Burkot said

    It sounds like you’re doing the best thing just by persevering. Unfortunately, some rules seem like they were designed just to make our lives more complicated, and usually a few rotten people ruin things for the rest of us, and we are stuck jumping through hoops as a result, just to accomplish something that seems simple.

  4. April 2nd, 2009 at 8:50 am
    Kathryn said

    John – thanks for commenting – it is sad. This is a story about one person, to think there are thousands out there is very overwhelming.

    Joel – truth is power isn’t it? Thank you.

    Rachel – thanks for stopping by and yes, persistence is key.

  5. April 2nd, 2009 at 8:50 am
    Deb said

    Kathyrn,
    Contact the local churches. That’s what we did for a friend – and they were wonderful! If they didn’t have something, they had referrals.

    keep us updated please.
    @debworks

  6. April 2nd, 2009 at 8:52 am
    Kathryn said

    Deb – thanks for the suggestion – I will do that. Take care okay?

  7. April 2nd, 2009 at 9:35 am
    Christa M. Miller said

    Kathryn, this is so salient to a contact I recently made with a number of domestic violence advocates. In their case, what I see is public disinterest because — not unlike with substance abuse — everyone knows someone who continues to make excuses, and these are the majority of people in the system. The system itself is clogged with bureaucracy, staffed by people who can’t bring themselves to help those who really WANT the help because they can’t quite believe it’s true in this one case. It is so very complicated, so many layers, and ultimately I think it does come back to the individuals who come together to form an entirely new community.

    Good luck to you. And thank you for continuing to tell this woman’s story.

  8. April 2nd, 2009 at 10:35 am
    Ben Ziegler said

    Kathyrn,

    I applaud your willingness to “pick up the phone” and do something. And… your willingness to listen to, and share, another’s story.

    I think advocating for, and putting in place, community and social networks to support the disadvantaged is a good way to go. The problems the disadvantaged face are, as you point out, systemic in nature – e.g., big and complex. It can be an incredible strain on any one individual (like yourself) trying to provide support. Sharing the support load (e.g., involving church community as another reader suggested) helps both the individuals providing support, the person receiving it, and society as a whole – I really think a connected community will do the right things.

    My thoughts come in part from my work as a mediator, and as a volunteer in local community restorative justice programs – including working with people just released from prison. The successes I’ve seen, working with “at-risk” people, have largely come from the power of community partnerships (e.g., family (if they are around), non-profits, community-at-large, justice officials, counsellors, …), whether they were supported financially or not from above (e.g., by government). From the visible community caring and support, the person in-need often gains a sustained feeling of security and belonging, and finds momentum to move forward with their own life in positive ways.

    Good luck.

  9. April 2nd, 2009 at 11:56 am
    Kathryn said

    Christa – well said – ” because they can’t quite believe it’s true ” understandable but – someone has to believe. I choose. I don’t believe anyone wants to be an addict. Thanks for your words.

    Ben – really appreciate your comment. My phone mission today was actually met with a tiny bit of success and I’ll take that. You’re right it takes a community. Thank YOU for doing the work you do – I’m a firm believer in restorative justice. It puts a human face on both perspectives.

  10. April 2nd, 2009 at 1:17 pm
    Richard Reeve said

    Hey Kathryn,
    Working in the field and having these issues intersect my life on many levels, I can say that your story is not all that uncommon.

    In relationship to friends attempting to make placements, many facilities will not act on that because of the repeated experience of the “client” never showing up.

    So there may be a gap for treatment for her, as the issue of beds and seats often seems like potluck… That being said, there are many thriving 12 step groups in most communities that can often provide a bridge for the person willing to do the next right thing. Each addict is always their own answer. Providing a variety of suggestions is often all we can do. If the doors continue to remain closed, then perhaps her path is in a different direction.

    Most 12 step programs have hotlines and you might want to discuss this situation with them as they probably are dealing with this situation on a regular basis and can provide contact to individuals will to be of service. Where the system is broke, regular people often step in…

  11. April 2nd, 2009 at 1:26 pm
    Kathryn said

    Richard – thanks for the solid suggestion – it s the referral we can’t make happen. Frustrating there’s no one to do it and yes, I understand it is her choice. I appreciate this and knowing that you understand.

  12. April 2nd, 2009 at 4:09 pm
    Susan Mazza said

    You are clearly not accepting that the systems in place are not working – I applaud your tenacity and courage to keep going.

    I think this is a good example of what happens when we try to fix what I believe is a breakdown in community with a system. In a community you are a member – a person that people genuinely care about and feel a sense of responsibility for. In a system you end up being a problem that must be fixed. With inherently limited resources and exploding demand for those resources it is easy to take the POV that we can’t fix everything so we must accept that things will fall through those cracks. Except we forget that those “things” are actually people. I have seen this first hand in both health care and in schools.

    As advocates we can bring community back into the picture even if we start out as a community of 2.

  13. April 2nd, 2009 at 6:22 pm
    DaveMurr said

    Ugh

    I used to volunteer at a homeless shelter and saw a lot of this happening – brick walls being thrown up instead of a community rallying together to find solutions.

    Never never never never give up. Someone will know someone who can make something happen. This has been my experience.

  14. April 2nd, 2009 at 11:07 pm
    LisaNewton said

    Please let me know what I can do to help………………:)

Name (required)

Email (required)

Website

C'mon Let's Talk!