Turkey Day

When I was growing up, I did not realize the need of basic needs, fortunately. As I reflect back to my childhood, I see the struggle my parents went through to make sure to provide those basic needs.

One of the most core memories that I hold dear is having Thanksgiving dinner with my parents and siblings. This “dinner” is not your traditional home dinner in a home space at night. The dinner we had was in the middle of the day when I was about 7 or 8yrs old.

We walked down the block to an open space that looked like an abandoned parking lot. When we got to the parking lot there was tables and chairs set up. At one end there were people serving food while people were in line to get served.

We got in line and served Thanksgiving dinner and sat with other strangers. My parents started conversing with them as if they were friends and family. I was happy because we were having Thanksgiving dinner and could go back to school and say we participated in the tradition.

This is a memory cherish because if it wasnt for the resources of the people that were serving the homeless or people that needed thanksgiving dinner. i probably would not have ate that night and have that American thanksgiving experience.

Many children and adults are not as lucky to eat every night.

In the street

I recall when I struggled with drugs, I chose to stay in my car for a few months. I decided that because I did not want to use drugs in my parents’ home or around my child. I struggled with where I was going to shower, where I would eat, and with a daily drug addiction problem. My family used to go search for me, and with time, I realized that I was tired of living in survival mode. Life was difficult, I saw a lot of ugly things happen on the streets. I am grateful I received the help I needed to leave the streets and drug life. Not many are fortunate enough to do so. 

Spanish

Recuerdo cuando luché contra las drogas, decidí quedarme en mi coche durante unos meses. Tomé esa decisión porque no quería usar drogas en casa de mis padres ni alrededor de mi hijo. Luché con dónde me iba a bañar, dónde comería y con un problema diario de adicción a las drogas. Mi familia solía salir a buscarme, y con el tiempo, me di cuenta de que estaba cansado de vivir en modo de supervivencia. La vida era difícil, vi muchas cosas feas suceder en las calles. Estoy agradecido de haber recibido la ayuda que necesitaba para dejar las calles y la vida de drogas. No muchos tienen la suerte de hacerlo.

Looking for a way out

For many years, I struggled with an addiction to methamphetamine use. It was not just about the
substance use disorder (SUD), but the effects it had on the foundation of my existence that left me in peril and off life’s course. As a result of military service, I had been driven to self-medicate to cope with the severity of my military trauma. One of the problems I encountered was housing. I had become a casualty of the same war we see in our communities where we witness much homelessness today. On many occasions, I slept in my vehicle, and periods of homelessness became a reality. The very thought of where I would sleep every night fueled the urge to use, which increased little by little. While in my addiction, I tried to stop many times, but even the withdrawal symptoms made it
impossible to secure housing. My SUD rapidly took a toll on me physically and mentally, thus creating a decline in my overall well-being. I experienced many stays at LA County Jail. It had become a revolving door. The resources to secure housing and receive medical attention were not readily available, despite resources being promoted by the county officials that would help.

Senior Struggles

A 78-year-old Spanish speaking client with an intellectual disability was referred to a case worker after being diagnosed with a chronic illness, anxiety, and recently evaluated for possible mental illness. The client needed support reconnecting with a primary care physician and was initially reluctant to engage with services. During a wellness check at the client’s home, it became clear there were significant trust issues, particularly around authority figures and clinicians. The client openly expressed emotional distress and noted a lifelong sense of disconnection from family, society, and healthcare provider

Though the original case plan involved only short term engagement (3 to 5 encounters), the seriousness of the situation and my compassion led me to make several in person visits. After consistent outreach, including five phone encounters, the client began to open up. Over time, trust was established. The client shared that throughout life, he felt invisible until our interactions began. With continued home visits, advocacy, and support including help organizing medication and attending medical appointments, he gradually became more receptive and engaged. It became evident that his previous struggles were tied to homelessness, lack of food and utilities, near blindness, and unresolved immigration issues rather than a deeper mental health crisis.

Long Term Impact
The experience of working with this client became one of the longest and most meaningful cases I handled, lasting approximately two years. As a rehabilitation counselor and social worker, I have learned that compassion and persistence are developed over time, not automatically given. I often reflect on what might have happened if I had not followed through and stayed committed to the case. Years later, I learned from a colleague that the client had returned to the clinic looking for me, sharing that he was now housed, receiving regular medical care, had surgery to improve his vision, reconnected with family, and resolved his immigration issues. He was finally able to visit his home country, something he had long desired.

This case is just one of many that reinforced the importance of holistic, culturally responsive care for individuals with disabilities. It also reminded me that not every case ends with a breakthrough, and not every need can be met, but every story matters. Through this Counseling 5004 course, I have come to understand the importance of listening, patience, and respecting each client’s journey. The work is challenging, but seeing lives change, even in small ways, makes it incredibly meaningful.