Choices

CHOICES Has Grown As the location grew over the years, Hall worked with the other founders to add behavioral and mental health services to the program. “We began to offer adult services, as well as alcohol and drug counseling. We also started doing family preservation sessions that were tied to the Department of Children and Family Services.” Now nearly 10 years into the program’s start, CHOICES has become a vital part of each of its locations’ communities. “Every day, we’re working with clients dealing with drug addictions ranging from marijuana to opiates. We’re providing mental health services that include anger management and counseling for depression, stress, anxiety, and bipolar disorder.” For each of the staff members, facilitating these services, working with their clients, and assisting them in walking in their new ways of life is a privilege. Helping Brings Joy “Just the simple gratification of knowing that we’re a part of someone’s life and helping them transition from hopelessness to hopefulness is motivating and powerful.”

Hall says the feedback he receives from clients is a testament that the program’s vision and staff are making positive impacts. “One of the things I hear most is that we seem to genuinely care about every person we work with and each of their needs. They initially put up resistance or opposition to our staff. But we do our best to keep them coming back. Five or six months later, they’re completely different and have made significant transitions from where they were to where they are now.” Though the scope of his work often comes with accumulating responsibilities, Hall says the daily opportunity to improve people’s lives brings immeasurable joy. “I do what I do because I love it. Being on the administrative side of everything, my job is twofold now in not only helping people but also securing passionate staff who are dedicated to this work. Just as much as I care about the clients who walk through these doors, I care about the employees and making sure they have everything they need to make the most difference in their work.”

-Juan Hall, Vice President CHOICES “Working with our clients is a priviledge.”

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