Continuum of Care, Inc.’s mission is to enable people who are challenged with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, addiction, or homelessness to rebuild a meaningful life and thrive in the community.
Giving Tuesday 2022: November 29
“You are not alone. You are seen. I am with you. You are not alone.” — Shonda Rhimes
Let them know they are not alone.
Won’t you commit an act of charity on or before Giving Tuesday – the International Day of Giving?
Your gift to the Mental Health Crisis Program helps save lives and build futures.
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Jonathan's Story
Is it Worth it? This was the question that Jonathan constantly asked himself.
Since age 13, Jonathan has had no family support. He’s been homeless and in and out of programs, while managing his Autism Spectrum Disorder and depression. Around age 16 was his darkest time – he was incarcerated for one-and-a-half years.
“At that point, I had probably half given up,” Jonathan says. “I didn't really care about anybody or anything.” Yet, he always desired a better life in spite of his troubles and self-doubt. He didn’t think he would graduate, but he started the GED process on faith.
Still, as he made progress, surprising himself with each test passed, Jonathan questioned himself. “I'd say, even if I graduate, what would I amount to be? Is it worth it?” Remembering that he was doing this to better his life encouraged him to continue taking steps down the right path.
Finding motivation wasn’t easy, he says. Living at Continuum’s Young Adult Services (YAS) Program was of significant help. “There's a lot of support here, and I'm not really used to that. I would have long days of internal battling and staff would notice. Or I wasn’t able to focus and then I’d talk with staff about it, or I’d talk to the therapist I have here,” Jonathan shares. The residential program adds structure to his life with daily group meetings and activities. Staff provide assistance within the home, as well as connect residents to the community, educational and job supports and clinical treatment.
This summer, he was beyond proud to achieve his long sought-after goal of graduating with his GED. In addition, staff assisted him with getting his identification card and setting up a bank account. YAS also connected Jonathan to the CT Bureau of Rehabilitation Services through which a job coach worked with him on a job site for a trial period. He did so well that he was hired to work full time at the completion of the work program.
“None of it ever goes away,” he says, speaking on his mental health challenges. “I think the biggest battle is acknowledging that it's there. That’s the first step of healing.” Realizing that he’s not the only person going through this type of adversity has helped his healing process. Building his self-confidence has also been key. It’s difficult, he says, but doing what he loves — going to the gym, listening to music, and hanging out with friends – helps.
Now, when Jonathan wonder's if it's worth it, he reflects on his many dreams. He keeps himself grounded by staying in the present and reminding himself that for what he cannot accomplish today, there's always tomorrow. "The onle person you're proving to is yourself, " Jonathan says. "Work hard. Do it for yourself. No one's going to push you more than you. No one's going to work harder than you do." Because it's worth it.