It Takes a Village

By Tina Valila, Clinical Director

I have been asked, more times than I can count, how do you measure success? Although success is subjective, there are moments when it is so clear and this is one example I had to share.  There is a mentee, A* (age 18), that has been working with us for a couple of years and recently became a new mom.  For those who have been new moms, you know that this can feel like jumping off a bridge without a parachute. Now imagine you are not just a new mom, but a new mom whose first language is not English; you have minimal familial support, and limited access to employment, education, and housing to name a few. On top of this, you are suffering from postpartum and have been hospitalized. This is where we were with A a few weeks ago. 

What A did have is a Survivor Mentor who has been a consistent support to her.  She also has a case manager. Both of these women possess a deep understanding of A’s cultural needs and could provide services in a language she felt more comfortable in.  This is exactly what she needed in her time of crisis.  With one call, A’s Survivor Mentor, case manager, and clinical support hopped on a call, created a plan, and put it in motion.  Numbers were exchanged, a team meeting was convened, and A is set to discharge with a safety net of providers from My Life My Choice this week.  If you have ever watched a symphony play, you know how much patience, preparation, and coordination it takes to produce beautiful music. Supporting these mentees, no matter how big or small their needs may be, requires just that.  

Although we don’t know what A’s journey will look like once she is home, what we do know is that her Survivor Mentor and the rest of her My Life My Choice team are here for her.  That is a success. 

*The mentee's name has been abbreviated to protect their confidentiality.