Mark
Mark lost his leg in an accident involving a police chase
(he was essentially an innocent victim). He was in an alley
way sitting on his motor cycle and talking to his girlfriend
when he was hit by a police car that was pursuing a suspect’s
vehicle. After the accident he suffered from depression
and believes this contributed to escalating alcohol abuse.
He was eventually incarcerated on manslaughter charges (he
was driving drunk, got in an accident and the driver of
the other car died). He served fourteen years in prison,
was released and came to the shelter. Mark found employment,
eventually reconciled with his ex wife and moved in with
her.
Greg
Greg came to the shelter after his release from prison where
he served a five-year sentence for computer fraud. Prior to
his arrest he worked for a prestigious company in NYC and
earned an impressive salary. Greg’s crime involved transferring
significant amounts of money out of personal bank accounts
into a fraudulent business account. He targeted Saratoga Springs
during the racing system when significant transfers would
be less noticeable. Upon his release, he was mandated to complete
parole in the community that had been impacted by his crime.
Greg was quickly hired at a local supermarket and worked nights
stocking shelves while he looked for a more lucrative position.
He was eventually hired as a mortgage broker and quickly earned
enough money to move out of the shelter and into his own apartment.
He is now back in prison for violating the terms of his parole.
Jonathan
Jonathan has a significant mental health history. He has been
hospitalized for considerable periods of childhood, adolescence
and his adult life. He is someone who has been through the
system a million times – something works for a while,
something happens and he either decompensates or starts drinking
and is displaced - often ending up back in MHU. In fact, he
often prefers the hospital (it is familiar and/or homelike
to him). He has been denied admittance many many times. SOS
CM first met Jonathan in 1979 while working on the inpatient
unit at Saratoga hospital. Jonathan did well at the shelter
(each time he was there); he responded well to structure and
staff. He has a great sense of humor and is compliant and
helpful. A lot of the other guests are somewhat protective
of him. The last time he was admitted he had just been discharged
from the MHU of an out of town hospital. Staff who were familiar
with him were alarmed by his condition and quickly referred
him to Saratoga hospital. Testing revealed significant brain
damage and Jonathan was diagnosed with malnutrition and sudden
onset dementia (probably related to years of taking psych
meds and years of sporadic alcohol abuse). It was difficult
to find a discharge placement for him. Jonathan is not competent
or healthy enough to take care of himself but too competent
and healthy to qualify for assisted living. He was finally
placed in a family care facility and is reportedly doing fine.
David
David held a high-stress executive position at a lucrative
company. He had been taking antidepressants for two years
when his provider suggested that he discontinue his medication.
Shortly thereafter, his long-term relationship with his partner
ended. This was his most significant source of support as
his family had ceased all communication with him after he
“came out.” David believes that the competitiveness
of his position coupled with his breakup contributed to the
onset of depression. He started calling into work and was
eventually fired and ultimately evicted from his apartment.
He stabilized while at the shelter, found a great job and
rented a beautiful carriage house. He is now in a new relationship
and doing well.
Harry
Harry was a marine who spent several years in Korea during
the war. After his discharge he spent years working at a
mill and eventually moved into a small apartment in the
building. The mill was eventually sold and the new owners
asked him to leave. Harry was brought to the shelter after
attempting to return to the mill. He is suffering from early
Alzheimer’s and was under the impression that he still
lived there. He has no surviving children and refuses to
accept help from the VA (he thinks that it would be un-American
of him). He managed to reconnect with the original owner
of the mill who was willing to advocate for him, and he
has since managed to obtain an apartment in a senior community.
Kate
K. has mild MR and a mental health diagnosis. She fell behind
on her rent and was evicted from her trailer. She stayed at
the shelter for sixty days, secured a position at a local
grocery store and was waitlisted for a subsidized apartment
program for people with disabilities. Her maximum time at
the shelter was up before this apartment became available
so she moved into a motel. Case management was concerned that
Kate would decompensate without the support and structure
of the shelter. She became an active Phase Three participant
- stopping by the shelter to see her CM on a regular basis.
Kate was connected to an SCM through TSA (for long term support)
and eventually moved into her apartment.
Dylan
Both of Dylan’s parents had a significant history of
alcohol abuse, substance abuse and domestic violence. His
mother recently passed away from complications related to
alcoholism. His father continues to drink. Dylan was only
here for a short period of time before moving into an inpatient
treatment program. CM connected him to ACOA (he had never
heard of this organization). He completed his 28-day program
and moved into transitional housing. He is maintaining sobriety.
