Betty's Story

A long way back home

Indeed, Betty has come a long way since she tested HIV positive a decade ago. Shortly after the news, Betty lost touch with her family and then ended up on the streets. Alone, and without a roof over her head, the virus began to take its toll. Betty knew she needed help.

Betty learned about Vital Bridges while she was living on the street. She had been through other programs, but needed the help Vital Bridges provides: individualized care that focuses first on meeting clients basic needs and then on programs that lead to self-sufficiency.

When Betty first walked through our doors, she met with a compassionate staff person. Betty had had a rough life over the past decade and had also been recently diagnosed with diabetes. With hardly anyone to turn to for assistance, she needed help putting her life back together.

It wasn’t easy for Betty to discuss her life on the streets, but she and her case manager did. During the discussion, they assessed the most immediate issues that needed to be addressed, and they discussed long-term goals. Together they developed a plan and scheduled regular progress meetings.

First, Betty needed to get off the streets and into safe housing and she needed the right foods to nourish her. Through Vital Bridges’ transitional housing program, Betty was initially placed in short-term housing for three months. During her stay, Betty agreed to save a small portion of her monthly assistance so that she would have funds to move into supportive housing.

As a person living with AIDS and a diabetic, Betty’s health is a life-long challenge. Her situation was severely compromised from periods of time without medication, the proper diet and medical care. Betty’s case manager worked with the food and nutrition team to develop a menu of grocery items that would best suit her unique circumstances. The dietitians then assisted her with managing her medications and with her meals.

Betty’s health improved markedly over the course of the three months. She prepared her own food at her own place. And with improvements in her health, she looked to make other positive changes in her life. At the end of her temporary housing placement, she moved into an apartment where she pays a portion of her rent based on her income.

Betty still wanted to do more with her life: At the Learning Center in our west side site, we offer life skills and basic vocational education trainings. Shortly after Betty began to use Vital Bridges’ services, she also participated in a workshop that helped her learn basic computer skills. Some of our clients are just getting their first Email accounts with our assistance! With each goal that a client attains, they take a step towards self sufficiency.

Today, Betty lives close to where she was raised on Chicago’s west side and near Vital Bridges’ Garfield Park location. She has reconnected with her family, enrolled in her final semester at a vocational school and attends one of our weekly support groups. She also has a home to go to after she returns from school, visiting her family or meeting with Vital Bridges’ staff.

It may have been a long journey back home for Betty, but she’s there, safe, and building a brighter future – thanks to our staff and volunteers who helped give her the opportunity to stabilize and rebuild her life.