They might be on parole or probation. Maybe they have warrants. Perhaps tattoos on their faces that limit their employment opportunities. Some lack basic social skills, having grown up in institutions or prisons.
Yet we work with them as long as they'll allow us to do so. And as long as they're willing we're willing.
We even work with these clients when they develop health issues. As many do. Some have smoked for years. Others don't have the vaguest idea about the benefits of diet, exercise, meditation. And it's hard to teach them how to live differently, how to overcome years of poor life choices.
We've have many clients develop emphysema, heart disease, cancer, and other debilitating disease. And many of them fear that just because they can't produce we're going to kick them to the curb. To leave them homeless. But that's not how we roll.
For us that's not the moral thing to do. When we have clients who are ill we help them get better. If they can't work a full day, we find something for them part time. Maybe a clerical job that requires little physical effort and that's low stress.
Because our mission is to help rebuild their lives. And over the years we've learned that some of those we try to help aren't in the best of health.
Our mission is to help them anyway.
