Charlene
From the priority area Thriving Children

“If I drop the ball with something, she’s always right there to help me pick it up,” says Charlene. “She’s really my right-hand man.”

Charlene, a single mother of two, is talking about Sheila, her Parent Aide through United Family & Community Services. The two have been matched as Parent Aide and Mom since 1997. Together, they tackle the challenges that Charlene faces as she strives to become self-sufficient. Those challenges can range from learning life skills to disciplining techniques and school issues with Charlene’s children to acquiring a driver’s license.

Charlene thinks back to when, about four years ago, her son Gabriel was having behavioral problems. Charlene struggled with communicating to Gabriel. It seemed he wouldn’t listen to anything she said to him. Sheila suggested having evaluations done on Gabriel to determine if there was a problem. They discovered that Gabriel has a hearing disorder, making it difficult, if not impossible, for him to clearly understand his mother’s instructions.

The collaboration between Sheila and Charlene is critical. They work together to devise a plan and list the steps Charlene must achieve to reach her goals. An initial match between a Parent Aide and a mother is based on personality and how well they can work together.

“When Charlene has an issue she can always call me for help or guidance,” Sheila says. “But she is also motivated to make her kids’ lives better. She’s a great advocate for herself and her kids.”

Charlene’s son and daughter are on track in school and receiving the assistance they require. Although the family currently lives in a shelter, they will soon move to housing at the Thames River Family program at Thames River Community Service. Charlene is also going to school for her GED as the steps in her plan to reach self-sufficiency continue to fall slowly into place.