Housing + Support + Hard Work = Success

In 2018, Donna was homeless. A native New Yorker with five adult children and four grandchildren, Donna lived in a homeless shelter when she learned about Chance for Change (CFC), NCS’s outpatient substance-use treatment program.  

CFC was designed specifically for individuals experiencing homelessness and struggling with addiction — people just like Donna.  

After enrolling in CFC, Donna worked hard, taking her recovery seriously. She made great progress and impressed the CFC staff. When they learned about a vacancy at the NCS Residence, they referred Donna and in March 2019 she moved out of the shelter and this supportive residence. Donna was no longer homeless. 

It was immediately clear to Monique Phillips, her case manager, that Donna had a lot of drive. They talked about Donna’s goals, including the possibility of looking for a job, and Monique connected her to Elizabeth McGuire, NCS’s Options Vocational Coordinator. After learning about Donna’s employment history and outgoing personality, Elizabeth helped Donna research the retail sector. They looked at various companies and opportunities, and Elizabeth helped Donna update her resume, complete job applications, and practice interviewing. Later that year, Donna started working at Old Navy. Now, more than two years and two promotions later, her responsibilities include training new hires, and she is the top sales associate in her region— a recognition that earned her a bonus last year! 

“NCS gave me a chance and enabled me to live independently for the first time in a long time,” Donna shared. “I used to live in a shelter, and I know that my life wouldn’t be improving the way it is if I hadn’t received much-needed support from Chance for Change and moved into the NCS Residence. I wouldn’t be where I am now. They helped me to become employable and helped me to gain the confidence I need to move forward in my life. My next goal is to move into my own apartment in Queens to be closer to my son and grandkids and make space at the NCS Residence for someone else who needs it. I am very blessed that life brought me here” 

Donna’s experience highlights elements that have helped many NCS clients succeed through the years. Strong community partnerships help us reach people who need the support that NCS provides. The integration of NCS's programs allowed our team to connect Donna to the services she needed when she was ready. And throughout the process, the NCS team worked closely with Donna to help her set goals and do the hard work that changed her life.

Your support makes Donna's success possible. NCS donors like you invest in services that are the difference between surviving and thriving. We hope we can count on you to make a difference this spring.

Your monthly donation— or one-time gift— will ensure that Donna, and dozens more like her, will have what they need to succeed.