Jennifer McEnroy Mourhess’ (’14) Social Work Story

By Jennifer Mourhess (’14)

Almost 10 years ago now I was working in a community support program for adults with mental illness. There was one man that stood out. He was homeless, had lost his job, couldn’t see his child, and actively addicted to pain pills. He had a car accident and got hooked after a back injury. He had been an experienced electrician with a “normal life” and “normal family.” That all changed with his addiction and most of his family didn’t speak to him because he had burned so many bridges. I took him out in the community and tried to help him restart his life. I didn’t know the man long and sometimes a few weeks would go by in between me seeing him, but I kept reaching out and kept trying to help. Eventually I left the employer for a new job and referred the man to a new program. I then saw him a few years later at the mall clean shaven and in a suit. I almost didn’t recognize him! He immediately came up to me, gave me a hug, and thanked me. I said for what as I really didn’t do much for him in our short time working together. He said for believing in me when no one else did, not even my own family. Turns out, he had gotten his life back on track and was doing amazing. Moral of the story is YOU can make a difference and sometimes we do not even realizing it! 😊