Stable Home and Getting the Job

Greetings Friends,
I recently had the pleasure of visiting a program dedicated to providing services to families transitioning from crisis or otherwise oppressive situations. There was of course, several laudable features about this type of work, mission, that is driven by caring concern for the well being of fellow human beings. One feature that stands out for me is the sensitivity to the fact, that people coming out of abusive, oppressive situations need comprehensive support, in order to successfully accomplish routine objectives and the vital task of returning to or beginning gainful employment. Indeed this need is not limited to those struggling with the more blatant forms of oppression or exploitation. Restoring a basic sense of balance, of security that offers a stable, nurturing and long term place of residence is a critical element in this objective. The person coping with the challenge of recovery from chemical dependency or a period of homelessness, is dealing with at least a "double whammy". This often puts them at a significant disadvantage in the employment market and even when they do succeed in finding work, the actual transition, adjustment phase, is far from complete. So it was refreshing to learn of programs that reflect in their service the understanding that crisis intervention is just that, and recovery is a long term goal due to the awareness that healing takes time. The recovery environment, the living space, has to reflect those well worn principles that offer a healthy change in relationship with "people, places and things" in a more than less, permanent way, a need. So we are back to the basics, relationship as the key factor in almost any endeavor and definitely the one of Work, Life and Living. Just from the initial interaction with staff at recovery and transition facilities, one can glean how important the need to develop ethical relations with those being served is understood. It is from those relations that vital trust is built to facilitate the sharing about the essential, the functional need, for a safe and stable home. Often this is the very aspect of the lives of survivors, that has been seriously compromised, impacting in a disabling way, on the capacity to move from victim to survivor, and accomplish the ultimate task we all have, of creating a healthy and sustainable lifestyle for self and relations.