In terms of things that clients managed to accomplish or hold onto in February, housing leads the list. There are 5 new housing starts in the list. We are experiencing for a few months that it isn't readily available at this time. But there are a whole lot --21 to be specific-- who are maintaining the housing and have mentioned it to us proudly. That is super!

Second on our list is improved self-care. We often encourage our homeless clients to continue exercising (we have a basketball court), drawing and painting (we start them art therapy group), composing music and lyrics (which they can share in talent night), and finding games they like to play with others (which they can get started learning in game night). We encourage them to eat healthier, more greens, fresher (which they can practice on many of the dishes donated for our fridge). We've passed out vitamins during the cold, flu and arctic weather seasons.

Next on our list is employment. For February 6 people got new job and 4 people held on to jobs. Jobs are harder to find now. We've been focusing on making sure clients have soft skills expected... being prompt (which we model by having a schedule for groups that is fixed and strict), getting along (which we practice and call to account in our facility), being respectful and cleaning up after yourself. Without these and many other soft skills that clients can practice in our SYMinU Skills Learning Lab, people quickly get left behind in the workplace. 

These top the list but read on down and you'll see many things to put on our "brag" list done by clients this month. 6 sobriety milestones. 6 wellness and medical visits, 3 partial or full reconciliations with family members, 5 accomplishments in the faith area, 2 in educational attainment, and many more. These types of goals often build on prior goals. While still recovering from the poverty that is being young and homeless, it's very easy for everything to go toppling over and need to begin again. Our clients are strong and inspire us with their strength, tenacity and attitudes to overcome. We're proud of them all!