SUPPORTED BY
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Although not mentioned above, this man was at the end of his patience. He was being tossed about from one agency and service to another and not getting any specific help or answers. When we started working with him, we started being his advocates to prevent the pinball effect of certain agencies. It was not the first time that this man was so frustrated about the whole situation and all the closed doors he encountered; he also mentioned that if he had the opportunity to get really violent, he might be so.
Numerous interventions and support sessions were conducted to calm down the client and help him see that violence is not an option to deal with the situation. We feel that it is thanks to these interventions that this person has not committed a useless stupidity and finished behind the bars, thus definitely closing all doors to a possible 'normal life' and a future with his kids (who at present are in care and would have been left without a father). Working with this client and helping him to stand up again slowly and gain independence means working for the client's children to have a reliable father to turn to in the future.
- Facilitated anger management sessions with the client to help him deal with anger and frustration generated by his dealings with bureaucracy, as well as support sessions to address feelings of depression and to raise self esteem.
- Liased with YPU to check out the situation with his child and the visiting process.
Although not mentioned above, this man was at the end of his patience. He was being tossed about from one agency and service to another and not getting any specific help or answers. When we started working with him, we started being his advocates to prevent the pinball effect of certain agencies. It was not the first time that this man was so frustrated about the whole situation and all the closed doors he encountered; he also mentioned that if he had the opportunity to get really violent, he might be so.
Numerous interventions and support sessions were conducted to calm down the client and help him see that violence is not an option to deal with the situation. We feel that it is thanks to these interventions that this person has not committed a useless stupidity and finished behind the bars, thus definitely closing all doors to a possible 'normal life' and a future with his kids (who at present are in care and would have been left without a father). Working with this client and helping him to stand up again slowly and gain independence means working for the client's children to have a reliable father to turn to in the future.
The story of George
George was a separated man of 49 years, with 3 children in care. He came to seek the help of YMCA some months ago. He was gainfully employed and settled. He paid all his bills, kept appointments, regularly went to see his children in care and always did his best for them.
Some months back, because of a court case, he was asked to leave his job. To make matters worse, he could not receive Social Benefits. George had been constantly looking for employment, both with the help of YMCA staff and also on his own personal initiative, but he had not been successful.
The problems we identified
History
George was a separated man of 49 years, with 3 children in care. He came to seek the help of YMCA some months ago. He was gainfully employed and settled. He paid all his bills, kept appointments, regularly went to see his children in care and always did his best for them.
Some months back, because of a court case, he was asked to leave his job. To make matters worse, he could not receive Social Benefits. George had been constantly looking for employment, both with the help of YMCA staff and also on his own personal initiative, but he had not been successful.
The problems we identified
- Unemployment
- Lack of stable housing
- Suspension of benefits
- Poverty
- Child issues
- Anger management/depression
- Searched on the ETC website, newspapers and other media for work. Working to get in touch with ETC scheme for social inclusion (older unemployed people). Called personally for some of them and gave a good reference for others.
- Liased with Housing Authority regarding fixed accommodation which resulted in George being allocated a home in Valletta.
- Corresponded with various agencies including Public Service Commission, ETC, Department of Social Security, Office of the Prime Minister, Social Assistance Board and various other agencies.
- Various food donations. Liased with Community Chest Fund for furniture and appliance support. Worked with Catholic Action on monetary and food donations.
- Obtained some sweets and a cake for one of the children's birthday. Offered the opportunity to utilise the YMCA Centre for Children's Activities. Support sessions with client regarding the emotional distress caused by having the children in care. One of them is actually at the MCH Young Person's Unit.