When Delores James, 32, came to Colonial Heights (Lawrence, Mass.), she did not believe in dreams. Although she longed to have her own apartment, go back to school, and be with her three children again, she did not believe these goals were possible.
      Delores was admitted in October 2001, after a nurse from a Boston hospital called Donna L. Howie, MA, LSW, director of social services, in desperation. She needed placement for a young homeless patient who was a frequent visitor to the hospital emergency room.
      “The nurse pleaded with me to take a chance and accept this patient. None of the other facilities would take such a young resident,” Donna said. “How could I refuse? The staff at Colonial Heights agreed.”
      Angry and streetwise, Delores arrived at the facility with heavy physical and psychological “baggage.” As a young child, her mother’s actions left her with a head injury and paralyzed left arm and leg. Delores had learned to compensate and walked with a limp, but had no use of her left arm. She had lived in several foster homes and was in and out of school before quitting completely. Living on the streets, she became addicted to drugs and alcohol. Her children were taken away and placed in foster homes.
      Delores’ foster mother tried very hard to help, but without success. After many scrapes with the law and a record for petty crimes, Delores was facing jail.
      The hospital staff and her court-appointed attorney did not want to give up on her. A judge agreed that if Delores could get help, he would not send her to jail. She was approved for short-term placement at Colonial Heights.
      The first few months were very difficult. Delores could not read or write and her social skills were very poor. She was a challenge for the staff: verbally abusive, manipulative, noncompliant and an elopement risk. She isolated herself from everyone.
      “Despite the problems we faced, we knew in our hearts that, deep down inside, someone special wanted to come out,” Donna said. “The staff never gave up. We fought to find help for her through state agencies.”
      Delores enrolled in a day program. Through the cooperative efforts of the Colonial Heights staff, her physician, Michael Kelly, MD, and her day program, Delores learned to trust and to believe that people really cared about her. Slowly, she began to change. She started smiling, taking care of her personal needs and, best of all, socializing. Before long, she was helping the elderly residents and offering manicures to anyone willing to sit for a few minutes. She enjoyed staying up late to watch TV, listening to music, and working on her writing skills.
      “When Delores went back to court in the summer of 2002, she was really nervous,” Donna recalled. “She fixed her hair and picked out a nice outfit. She looked beautiful. The judge stood and congratulated her on working so hard to change her life. It was a very powerful moment. Her lawyer and I were so proud of her that tears ran down our faces.”
      All charges were dismissed. The judge’s only recommendation was that Delores never give up on herself.
      In the following months, Delores continued to work hard. She was eager to learn about her medical disorders and medications and was actively involved in her care routine. She renewed her relationship with her foster mother and made contact with two of her children.
      During the Christmas season, the generosity of another resident’s family allowed Delores to take a taxi 25 miles to spend the holiday with her foster mother. It was the first time she was away from the facility alone.
      “The staff acted like nervous parents,” Donna said. “We called to find out that she got there safely, and then phoned daily to make sure she was okay. The day she was to come home, her taxi was late and we were all anxious. When the taxi finally pulled up, Delores got out with the biggest smile on her face.”
      Today, Delores is actively working on her discharge. She will move into her own apartment by July 2003. Continuing with specialized services in the community, she will attend a day program and go back to school to learn to read and write. She may even be able to get a part-time job.
      “The road leading to where she is today was not easy,” Donna concluded. “Through the tremendous efforts of the staff at Colonial Heights, her trust in her caregivers and her determination, Delores is on her way to making her dreams come true.”