Brenda Wyatt
Brenda Wyatt is 60 years old and has seen her share of challenges.
She says she was stuck to drinking for over 30 years, all while raising her five sons. “I was a mean and ugly drunk living in my own filth and misery,” she said.
In March of 2022, she cried out to God. And He answered. After 28 days in detox at Loretto Hospital, Brenda entered into Tabitha House for long-term residential treatment.
“Two social workers at Tabitha House, Ms. Angie and Ms. Marcy, taught me how to love myself again,” she said.
Brenda credits the structure, discipline, and rules that the difference.
Brenda’s progress has been so good that she has just started a job back at Loretto, as a patient sitter, working on the very same floor (the 5th) that she was on at her very lowest point. Now she describes herself as a “new born preacher in Christ Jesus” – I lean to God for everything.” “Thanks to God, I’m living a life of joy. I love me today. My boys are so proud of me. Everything has changed.”
Nicole Croissant
(In Nicole’s own words)
“I’ve been fighting drug and alcohol addiction since I was very young.
My dreams were to marry my high school sweetheart, own my own home, have children and be working alongside my father and grandfather in our familyowned business. But life had different plans for me. With insecurity, abandonment issues, and mental health challenges, I turned to alcohol and then to drugs. My addiction turned me into someone I didn’t even recognize.
I never in a million years imagined that recovery would be possible for me until I got to Tabitha’s house.
Tabitha house offered me something that I’ve never had before in my life which was structure. I believe that structure, the groups, and the staff within Tabitha House, is the main reason why I’m where I’m at today in my life.
Being in Tabitha’s house reminded me of my dreams as a child. I’m grateful that I’m able to make some of them still come true.”
Tabitha’s house was a calling for me to do something different with my life; to help change someone’s story like mine, for the better. I remember the first day of getting to Tabitha’s house and the program manager, Ms. Angie, said to me “you’re going to be doing this kind of work one day, just you watch.”
She couldn’t have been more right. My stay at Tabitha house led me to work for HSI and within the clients at Tabitha’s house, the very place that saved my life.
On Dec. 18th I will have 3 years clean and sober. But I know I will have to continue to fight this battle for the rest of my life. Today, I am in such a great place in my life at 2 years and 8 months clean and sober! I’m beyond proud of the steps that I’ve taken to better myself, and my life! I’ve slowly started gaining back everything that I had lost, one day at a time!”
Corey Jeans
Corey Jeans and his brother were suffering horrific neglect inside their home. When HSI CEO, Donald Dew, learned of their distress, he immediately went into action and worked to place them in a safer environment.
Corey, now 22 who has developmental disabilities, lives in HSI’s residential DD-CILA home where he has and attended the community day program to receive vocational job training skills. That led to employment, working at one of the federal buildings in downtown Chicago.
Since he has been with HSI, he has graduated from Westinghouse H.S and has a job. He’s looking forward to a bright future. Corey has dreams of attending college and getting his own apartment. Corey’s story shows that someone can find light from the most troubled circumstances when social services are applied.
Willie Brown
In January 2020, Willie Brown, an HSI client, was diagnosed with cancer. At first, he was confused. Then he refused to undertake the long arduous road of treatment. It was as if he had decided to give up right away.
But the doctor’s, HSI case workers and other HSI support staff stayed on him. Finally, he agreed to go through treatment for his cancer. It was a tough road. Because of the type of cancer he was fighting, Willie needed MRIs, and CAT scans, and other uncomfortable appointments. But the lowest point was when Willie’s HSI case manager, Mr. Clark, who he was very close to, died suddenly. The loss devastated everyone at HSI – including Willie.
His loss left all of us devastated, especially Willie. But through the encouragement of his HSI team, Willie fought through, saying “Mr. Clark would want me to finish.”
In all, Willie required 20 treatments. In between each treatment, he had a number of steps to complete. The HSI team was there helping him through the entire journey. Willie’s spirit was infectious it set the pace and tone for all who worked with him.
On August 12th, Willie completed his treatment and rang the bell of success three times.
Ricky Stenciel
Growing up, Ricky Stenciel had no positive male role models in his life. His male family members were in and out of incarceration. When they were out, they didn’t provide Ricky with the guidance and support every young boy needs. Inevitably, this led Ricky to display defiant attitudes toward male figures. Other trouble followed.
Seeing Ricky as a student “at risk”, his school referred him to HSI’s Restorative Justice program. From here, everything changed in Ricky’s life. Through the mentorship and support he received at HSI, Ricky learned that there is another path in life than the one his male family members had pursued. Coach Blue, an HSI staffer for the Restorative Justice program, became a father figure to him, instilling discipline and encouragement.
Now, Ricky has developed key communication skills. He is focused and his demeanor has sharply improved. He is an active participant in HSI’s positive choice workshops and has worked the last two summers as a junior recreational leader at John Marshall High School. He plays on the Varsity Baseball team and was just recently voted captain of the Varsity Football team.
Ricky is now looking at his future: “I want to do something great with my life,” he says.
As one HSI staffer said it: “Ricky is the rescuer of his own destiny; he is well on his way to determining his future.”