My loneliness is what brought me to PFP. Losing a child is a parent’s worst nightmare. I had lost my son to cancer, and I was only a quarter of the woman I was when my son was alive. I spoke to my therapist, and she referred me. I found the peer support invaluable. We are all present with one another. When one person celebrates a goal, we all celebrate together. The staff always seem happy to be at work. They are always learning and sharing something new with us.

“I’ve got myself—and my sense of humor—back.”

Before coming to Programs For People, Inc., Kyla had some negative experiences getting help. Kyla had been prescribed medication which had an adverse effect which led to them having a change in behavior that felt unsafe. They have “epilepsy, OCD, depression, and other stuff.” They heard about PFP from a peer and asked to be referred by the hospital.

“Being disabled is the hardest job I’ve had in my life. At PFP, I feel I can express my true identity and be my own person. The counselors help me remember my goals which helps me to continue growing. Seeing how clients are able to get back on their feet and support one another is eye-opening. I was able to have brain surgery and now I can read again. I couldn’t have done it without the support I found here.”

“In groups like DBT, Open Art and Visual Journaling, we look at things and learn how to turn them into a positive.”

I used to be in the hospital frequently. I felt abandoned and angry at my family and everyone around me. It was a horrible anger that caused me to suffer.

Since being at PFP, I have not been in the hospital. I’ve made friends, quality friends. I received so much support after my wife died. When I had to be away from the program for medical reasons, my counselor called me every day.

“PFP has been lifesaving for me.”

I had a lot of traumas as a child growing up in foster care. I have very little memory of what it was like. As an adult, I was raising a child on my own, and it all caught up with me. I just stopped being able to function. Like when you have tears coming, but you don’t feel anything. At PFP, it is very comforting and inclusive. The program saves lives.

“For the first time, I can think clearly and make plans for the future.”

Stacie came to Programs For People, Inc., due to mental health challenges she had for most of her life. The challenges led her to be hospitalized frequently and unable to work. She was referred to PFP from a hospital and had no expectations when she started. She was anxious at first, but soon her anxiety faded away. She felt accepted, understood, and supported.

“The world needs to be more like Programs For People, Inc. I never felt a place more open and accepting. They are so supportive and understanding.”

She has a lot of creative talent she can tap into because of Programs for People, Inc. She states the art therapist here has allowed her to be reinspired, which she is very grateful for. The expressive arts groups here give her the chance to express herself and connect with others around her.

Treatment at PFP has allowed Stacie’s life to be more fulfilling and helped her to live in the moment. She is able to return to work, rediscover her love of dance and spend more time with loved ones.

“In the past, I did not have any hope. Now there is hope and there are people to help me through the struggles.”