NJAMHAA FY23 Advocacy Campaign

Caring Partners Foster Bright New Futures Lucia has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and struggles with mood swings every day. She grew up in an impoverished neighborhood and was a victim of childhood abuse and domestic violence - physical, emotional and verbal - when she was a young adult. As a result, she had extremely low self-esteem and had turned to alcohol and other drugs in an attempt to escape from the pain and she had been homeless. From working with Sonia Martinez, LSW at Hispanic Family Center of Southern New Jersey, Lucia overcame her addictions, learned to manage her anger, pause and think of consequences and focus on self-care. Today, she is living independently and pursuing a goal of creating a drop-in center where individuals who are living in the streets can receive short-term care and be connected to housing and other services and resources. “Lucia is an inspiration. She embraced all aspects of strengths-based and solution- focused therapy, and she became a confident, assertive individual with limitless potential,” Sonia said. “I have no doubt that Lucia will achieve her goals and many people will benefit from the support she aims to offer and from the tremendous role model she will certainly continue to be.” “I have no doubt that Lucia will achieve her goals and many people will benefit from the support she aims to offer and from the tremendous role model she will certainly continue to be.” 6 H   Sonia Martinez, LSW Counselor Hispanic Family Center of Southern New Jersey