Success Stories:  Background

The following excerpts are true stories from our clients.  They illustrate how GECAC is fulfilling its promise to the Erie Community and changing people's lives for the better.

Although names have been changed to protect client confidentiality; the message remains the same; the Greater Erie Community Action Committee truly is:  "Helping people. Changing Lives."       

A Man in Need . . . .

A very tall and thin man walked into the center one day and asked if we served any food here.  We told him that we did and invited him to lunch.  He came back almost everyday and eats all of his lunch and usually most of any leftovers that we may have.  I get a very strong feeling that this is the only real meal that this man gets.  He is always very thankful for his meal and most appreciative when we give him a second helping and extra cup of milk.

North East Senior Center - Success Stories . . . .

A gentleman who is a wanderer, and has mental health issues started coming to the Center.  Initially he was tall and frail looking.  At first when he started to come in for the meals he would not sit at a table where anyone was sitting.  Now he goes right for the larger sitting tables.  He also put on weight and looks much healthier. 

A gentleman and recent widower, started coming to the center.  Initially he presented as depressed, not wanting to be social, and with a poor appetite.  A few of the other Center's regular male participants sought him out each day to talk to him, and pulled him into their conversations.  Now the gentleman appears to be much happier, seeks out his companions each day he comes, and has a much healthier appetite.  

A woman new to the Center, is hard-of-hearing, lives alone, and first presented as someone who was too shy to socialize.  Now she is a regular Bingo player, talks, mixes in with groups of people and appears much happier. 

Erie East Senior Center - Success Stories . . . .

A woman came to the Erie East Senior Center, on January 26, 2005.  She lives alone and did not get out much.  I met her son who expressed an interest in the Senior Center.  I shared with him information on the center and the activities we provide.  He spoke with his mom and helped her make the decision to attend our center.  From my understanding in speaking with her son she did not eat well at home preferring to chain-smoke cigarettes.  The woman was very impressed with the menu here and has a healthier appetite so much so that she gained weight and had to cut back due to her diabetes.  She has gotten her diabetes under control and her weight back down.  She looks forward to our health speakers coming in each month.  Her son informed me that everyday when she leaves the center she calls him at work to tell him what she ate for lunch.  I am also happy to report she no longer smokes.  She had made new friends that she looks forward to seeing every Wed., Thurs., and Friday when she attends.  Her favorite activity is watching the Price is Right!  This woman is a pleasure to have at the center and we really try hard to make sure he schedule is open at 11:00 a.m. so she doesn't miss Bob Barker!

A Step in the Right Direction . . . .

Awhile ago, a man walked into my office and asked to talk with me.  I said of course and invited him in.  He sat down and broke down, he didn't know what to do with himself, he had just lost his wife the week before and was terribly depressed.  I invited him to have a lunch date with us at least a couple of times a week and he didn't have to stay for anything else if he didn't want to.  Before we knew it he was coming everyday, started to participate in activities and eventually met a lady friend!  He is one of my best Pinochle players ever!

Taking the Future into Her Own Hands . . . .

One success story concerns a client who began the program in July 2005.  At the time of enrollment, she did not have a driver's permit.  The client had worked in production.  However, since the closing of Union City Chair, which was over two years ago, she had not worked.  After meeting with the client, she established a long-term goal of becoming an LPN.  After being accepted in the SPOC program, this client applied and was granted a driver's permit.  In addition, she enrolled in remediation with the Intermediate Units in both Union City and Corry.  After about two months, the client got her first driver's license.  St. Ben's assisted her with the purchase of a vehicle.  The client has taken First Aide CPR (Corry Memorial Hospital), Women's Self-Esteem and Understanding relationships (Mercy Center).  She was awarded a grant from Corry higher Education Center for Word, Windows, Internet, and Power Point.  The client studied Chemistry and other necessary prep courses through the Intermediate Units at Corry and Union City.  January 2, 2006, this client began LPN training at Tri-State.  IN summary, this client exemplifies the motivation necessary to change her and her family's life.  In addition, her ability to succeed was possible through collaborative efforts of the many community agencies that serve people in the Corry and Union City area. 

Drug and Alcohol Client Gets Early Treatment . . . .

A student that has been involved with the SAP liaison from her district for the past three years finally agreed in November to attend an inpatient facility to address her severe struggles with drugs and alcohol, including life threatening experience with the drug methamphetamine.  The GECAC liaison was instrumental in connecting the student and family with the appropriate treatment resource and providing the student with the information and support needed to take this challenging step.  To date the student has remained drug free and is participating in recovery activities.  The liaison was recognized by the Prevention/SAP Unit and the associated school district for her consistency and quality of service on this difficult case. 

Success Stories - Erie West Senior Center

A while ago a man walked into my office and asked to talk with me.  I said of course and invited him in.  He sat down and broken down, he didn't know what to do with himself, he had just lost his wife the week before and was terribly depressed.  I invited him in to have a lunch date with us at least a couple of time a week and didn't have to stay for anything else if he didn't want to.  Before we knew it he was coming in every day and started to participate in activities and eventually met a lady friend!  He is one of my best Pinochle players ever. 

One of my ladies came to the center through a friend that noticed that she was very depresses.  She came and she looked so sad, loss of her husband and a lot of family issues.  We got her interested in Bingo and she started coming for lunch and staying to play!  The other day after winning several games she pulled me over and with joy in her eyes told me about her several wins that day and how happy she felt.  You could just see how she needs a break from all of the issues she has to deal with outside of the center; she has even referred to the Center as an oasis! 

- Erie West Senior Center Director