On the front lines of a crisis
Tracie Striebel’s routine has changed significantly over the past month. Tracie is a Behavioral Health Specialist at the Center for Women in Transition (CWIT). She typically meets with clients in a small, comfortable room at CWIT’s main office where she offers 1-on-1 counseling sessions, focused on issues including trauma, stress, and healthy relationships. Since late March, counseling appointments have looked a little different. Tracie has been conducting her 1-on-1 sessions either by phone or while accompanying clients on their daily wellness walks. Strolling down the sidewalks in the Patch neighborhood, bordering the Mississippi River and marking the edge of the St. Louis City limits, Tracie keeps a 6-foot distance and both she and her clients wear masks. Clients appreciate being able to see Tracie in person, even at a distance, as many of their other interactions have been relegated to a screen.
CWIT serves women coming out of prison and jail. Even before Covid-19, clients faced immense challenges in their transition from incarceration. The vast majority have experienced trauma throughout their lives. Most struggle with substance use. It can be difficult for women with criminal records to get jobs, particularly jobs that pay a living wage. It can also be hard to find apartments that accept people with felonies. Most clients who come to CWIT feel they have few options. Women who may otherwise not have a safe or stable home plan can participate in CWIT’s program where they can live and receive the services that will help them achieve their goals.
Covid-19 has exacerbated all of the challenges clients normally face to the highest degree. Typically clients are used to having booked schedules. In the morning, a client may attend substance use treatment or work the early morning shift at her job. That afternoon, she may attend an onsite life skills class, her regular counseling appointment, or vocational training, depending on her goals. After cooking dinner for herself, she may head to a Narcotics Anonymous or SMART Recovery group. Upon returning to her apartment for the evening, she might finally get the chance to put her feet up. Most clients enjoy having a daily routine and busy schedule--their minds are occupied and they can get support from others throughout the day, making it easier for some to resist relapse.
Now, their routines have been thrown off-kilter. Clients live in their own apartments with just one other apartment-mate, but must still frequent common areas like the laundry room and office area. Because of this, only clients with jobs have been able to leave for the past several weeks, and they’ve had to keep particularly stringent social distancing practices. Many clients’ hours have been cut, or they’ve been furloughed since the shutdown.
Clients are no longer able to go to in-person substance use treatment programs, and instead receive these services virtually. Similarly, support groups like AA/NA and SMART Recovery have moved to Zoom. Although these services are still helpful and life-saving, many have expressed that they’re just not the same. Clients also cannot go to the grocery store, as this would increase the risk of spread throughout CWIT’s residential facilities.
Many have expressed anxiety about their families who they can’t visit. Some have eldery parents and grandparents who they worry may be at risk. Most have expressed feeling stuck and stagnant--their goals they’ve been working so hard to achieve have been put on pause.
For instance, one client, Kelly,* had been saving every penny she made as a waitress at a local restaurant and had already started to search for her own apartment. But once Covid-19 hit, the restaurant she worked at closed, and she lost her job. With no steady income, she felt uncomfortable heading out on her own as she had originally planned. She has extended her stay at CWIT until she can find another job. She expressed being grateful that she had CWIT as a safety net. Had she not been in the program, she may have ended up homeless.
However, CWIT staff and volunteers have risen to the challenges brought on by this calamity. House monitors continue to provide 24/7 in-person assistance to clients (while remaining 6 feet apart and wearing masks, of course). Over 30 different volunteers have made grocery trips on behalf of clients. Volunteers have sewed cloth masks for staff and clients. CWIT supporters continue to generously donate to support our efforts. Services have been altered and adapted and CWIT now offers virtual life skills courses, vocational training, peer support groups, behavioral health, and case management.
Most importantly, CWIT residents have become family for one another during the quarantine. According to Maggie Burke, CWIT's Program Manager over Baker House and Schirmer House, older residents are providing emotional support to younger residents who may be struggling being away from their families. Younger residents, too, are helping older residents learn how to use Zoom and other technology so that they can participate in remote learning opportunities and recovery group meetings. Residents take turns cooking food and sanitizing public areas. At Schirmer House, clients are taking turns fixing up the yard and planting a garden. Baker residents are socially, emotionally, and physically supporting each other during this difficult time.
Slowly but surely, CWIT is discovering a new normal. This new normal can be challenging and lonely. But it also beautifully displays how our community comes together to help one another. We are resilient, together.
*Name has been changed to protect this client’s identity.
CWIT serves women coming out of prison and jail. Even before Covid-19, clients faced immense challenges in their transition from incarceration. The vast majority have experienced trauma throughout their lives. Most struggle with substance use. It can be difficult for women with criminal records to get jobs, particularly jobs that pay a living wage. It can also be hard to find apartments that accept people with felonies. Most clients who come to CWIT feel they have few options. Women who may otherwise not have a safe or stable home plan can participate in CWIT’s program where they can live and receive the services that will help them achieve their goals.
Covid-19 has exacerbated all of the challenges clients normally face to the highest degree. Typically clients are used to having booked schedules. In the morning, a client may attend substance use treatment or work the early morning shift at her job. That afternoon, she may attend an onsite life skills class, her regular counseling appointment, or vocational training, depending on her goals. After cooking dinner for herself, she may head to a Narcotics Anonymous or SMART Recovery group. Upon returning to her apartment for the evening, she might finally get the chance to put her feet up. Most clients enjoy having a daily routine and busy schedule--their minds are occupied and they can get support from others throughout the day, making it easier for some to resist relapse.
Now, their routines have been thrown off-kilter. Clients live in their own apartments with just one other apartment-mate, but must still frequent common areas like the laundry room and office area. Because of this, only clients with jobs have been able to leave for the past several weeks, and they’ve had to keep particularly stringent social distancing practices. Many clients’ hours have been cut, or they’ve been furloughed since the shutdown.
Clients are no longer able to go to in-person substance use treatment programs, and instead receive these services virtually. Similarly, support groups like AA/NA and SMART Recovery have moved to Zoom. Although these services are still helpful and life-saving, many have expressed that they’re just not the same. Clients also cannot go to the grocery store, as this would increase the risk of spread throughout CWIT’s residential facilities.
Many have expressed anxiety about their families who they can’t visit. Some have eldery parents and grandparents who they worry may be at risk. Most have expressed feeling stuck and stagnant--their goals they’ve been working so hard to achieve have been put on pause.
For instance, one client, Kelly,* had been saving every penny she made as a waitress at a local restaurant and had already started to search for her own apartment. But once Covid-19 hit, the restaurant she worked at closed, and she lost her job. With no steady income, she felt uncomfortable heading out on her own as she had originally planned. She has extended her stay at CWIT until she can find another job. She expressed being grateful that she had CWIT as a safety net. Had she not been in the program, she may have ended up homeless.
However, CWIT staff and volunteers have risen to the challenges brought on by this calamity. House monitors continue to provide 24/7 in-person assistance to clients (while remaining 6 feet apart and wearing masks, of course). Over 30 different volunteers have made grocery trips on behalf of clients. Volunteers have sewed cloth masks for staff and clients. CWIT supporters continue to generously donate to support our efforts. Services have been altered and adapted and CWIT now offers virtual life skills courses, vocational training, peer support groups, behavioral health, and case management.
Most importantly, CWIT residents have become family for one another during the quarantine. According to Maggie Burke, CWIT's Program Manager over Baker House and Schirmer House, older residents are providing emotional support to younger residents who may be struggling being away from their families. Younger residents, too, are helping older residents learn how to use Zoom and other technology so that they can participate in remote learning opportunities and recovery group meetings. Residents take turns cooking food and sanitizing public areas. At Schirmer House, clients are taking turns fixing up the yard and planting a garden. Baker residents are socially, emotionally, and physically supporting each other during this difficult time.
Slowly but surely, CWIT is discovering a new normal. This new normal can be challenging and lonely. But it also beautifully displays how our community comes together to help one another. We are resilient, together.
*Name has been changed to protect this client’s identity.
