Alumni Spotlight: Dawn Stabilizes Her Health and Looks Forward to Entertaining in Her New Apartment

Former resident Dawn likes to entertain. That’s one of the reasons she was excited to move into her own apartment after experiencing multiple health issues and homelessness. She was referred to Joseph & Mary’s Home by the Cleveland Sight Center to have a safe place to heal while also adapting to partial vision loss. Having stabilized her health and moved into her apartment, Dawn is taking computer classes through Cleveland Sight Center to get a part-time, home-based job in customer service.

Right now in your life, what are you grateful for?

I’m grateful for God and the skills that I’ve acquired and the different people who I have met in this journey of getting back on my feet.

What was going on in your life before you were referred to Joseph & Mary’s Home?

I had become homeless after not working for three years and I was having all kinds of medical issues: three compressed discs in my neck, lower back pain, arthritis spreading throughout my body, including pain in both hips and muscle loss. I was just starting to deal with losing most of my vision. I was at a shelter and it was not a safe environment. Not only was I dealing with these medical issues, I also had existing diabetes and high blood pressure.

After not working in three years, my savings was wiped out paying everyday bills. I could no longer afford the house that I was in. I had a large dog who was my emotional support animal and no one would take us both in. My cousin let me stay with her on a very temporary basis. It’s been a journey.

What services were most helpful at Joseph & Mary’s Home?

Mary’s Home is a very nice and safe environment to continue to heal from whatever you are going through. It’s a friendly, family-type atmosphere.

I am very grateful for the care that I received when I came down with COVID. I was quarantined to my room and staff made sure that I had everything I needed to feel better and get better. They made sure I had something to eat and drink, tissues, anything that I needed. The staff go above and beyond what they are called to do. Not just for me, they do this for everybody.

What other community programs have helped you get back on your feet?

I had a lot of support before I went to Mary’s Home. I already had a full team of care providers at Cleveland Clinic. The Cleveland Sight Center and Job and Family Services connected me to Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities.

I am now taking computer classes through Cleveland Sight Center so that I can get a part-time job in customer service where I can work from home.

Is there a particular memory from Joseph & Mary’s Home that stands out for you?

At Christmas time, I was able to pass out small token gifts — small shower gels and lotions sets, along with some fresh fruit — to the other Mary’s Home residents and a couple of staff members. I passed it out right before Christmas so that they would have a gift on the holiday.

In my family, if we couldn’t buy everyone a gift, we gave token gifts that were something that everyone could use and enjoy. My best friend helped me. We both had gift cards and I used my EBT card to buy fresh fruit.

What is a favorite activity/hobby that you love doing?

I like to entertain in small settings. I don’t need a lot of people around, especially since COVID. I love intimate parties with card games or board games where we have some good finger foods. The last function I went to, we played Connect Four and Bingo and Family Feud.