CWC Highlights - November 2020
Introducing Our New Community Partners - Northeast Christian Church!
ChooseWell Executive Director Monet Becker with David, Carol, and Carrie of Northeast Christian Church
This year, we have been blessed with a variety of new and incredible community partnerships, including our newest partnership with Northeast Christian Church.
Northeast Christian Church has been a beacon of light for some of our most vulnerable families during a historically challenging time. This year, they have come together as a ministry to donate (and deliver!) furniture and home goods for families in need who are moving into Section 8 housing for the first time, coordinate diaper and infant need drives for our pregnant mothers and families with infants, and ensure that families who are leaving residential treatment have the clothing, shoes, home goods, etc. they need as they settle into life post-treatment. We are so grateful and humbled by their continued support and quick action when we voice that a family is in need and are happy to call them a friend and partner.
Parent Highlight: Meet Dzenana!
Dzenana is a graduate of The Women’s Healing Place and has been a ChooseWell participant since September 2019. Dzenana was born in Bosnia and came to the United States in 2014 as a refugee. She has worked hard to overcome various hurdles life has presented her with and has placed her recovery and reunification with her children above all during her time in ChooseWell.
Dzenana is currently celebrating two huge achievements: 19 months of sobriety AND the full reunification of her three-year-old son, Ali. These achievements would not be possible without Dzenana’s steadfast determination and commitment to her recovery and her family.
Dzenana is always quick to lend a helping hand to her fellow ChooseWell participants and our ChooseWell staff. We are so proud of the accomplishments she has made while in our program and we look forward to watching her family continue to blossom and thrive! Congrats, Dzenana!
Meet the ChooseWell Team: Gina Watson
Meet Gina Watson, ChooseWell Communities’ Program Manager! Gina has served with ChooseWell Communities since August 2019, previously working with the Commonwealth of Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, the Compassionate Schools Project, and St. Joseph’s Children’s Home.
As a graduate of the University of Louisville School of Public Health, Gina brings comprehensive public health and safety, Medicaid navigation, program coordination, data collection, and early childhood expertise to her role within ChooseWell Communities, acting as a strong and healthy advocate for the families that we serve.
One of Gina’s fondest experiences with ChooseWell Communities to date is the 2019 holiday party at the end of last year, saying, “It’s one of my favorite memories to reflect on. We spent all day decorating and cooking and coordinating volunteers. By the time we started, I was just exhausted – but it was so worth it. Every child got to sit with our volunteer Santa, and every family received free professional family photos taken by a volunteer photographer. We had so many volunteers, Board Members, families, and friends chip in to help, and I remember being so impressed and filled with gratitude for the community that came together to make that experience so wonderful for our families. That day definitely has a special place in my heart and encompasses the spirit of what ChooseWell Communities is all about.”