So, the social worker (or specialist) is signing me up for another program, Open Access. Honestly, this may mess with my plans a bit. Open Access might try to place me in a group home where I’ll have less money and, worse, be around smokers all the time. That’s a setup for failure—it’ll make quitting smoking a real challenge. But there’s still hope! She says she’s still pushing to get me into Jamboree, the low-income housing program. If that works out, I’d have more money, my own place, and fewer temptations to smoke since I wouldn’t be surrounded by it.
I’ve got to really stay on her to make this happen, but she’s willing to work with me. So, cross your fingers! With your support, I believe in myself even more. I know I can push for better housing and avoid the smoking temptation.
Good luck, Dan! You can do it!
It may sound like whining, but I know how tough it’ll be to resist smoking in a group home. That’s practically all we do there, and I’ll be pushing back against this caseworker’s group home plans.
If I had a say, I’d ban smoking in group homes altogether. Even though I’m not running things, at least the staff here is listening to my concerns. It helps clarify that I’m really trying and not just playing the system.
I’m still going through this endless process to get into decent housing, but I’m making some headway. Practicing my meditation and breathing exercises is helping me stay grounded.
I didn’t get into the housing program I wanted yet, but there’s an appeal going on with Anaheim Housing. Still, it feels like my caseworker’s been stringing me along, sending me on goose chases just to keep me busy while quietly filing for a group home. But I’m staying on top of her. I’ve let this system play me for too long to stop caring now.
I want to quit smoking, but under these circumstances, it’s not going to be easy. The most important thing right now is securing good housing while I still have some resources. I can’t just pass a law banning smoking in all group homes, even though it’s practically the only thing we do there.
I refuse to go back to a smoking den, handing over three-quarters of my income to a slumlord. It feels like that’s what my caseworker is pushing for while dangling other options in front of me like distractions. But I’m not backing down. I’ll fight for the best housing situation I can get because I deserve better.
Our treatment situations may not seem ideal, like allowing smoking in group homes, but sometimes that’s the only option available. The alternative could be homelessness, or worse—like what happened to Sharon Quirk-Silva’s brother. I’m doing my best to work through these hurdles with your advice, even when the road ahead seems difficult. It won’t be completely impossible, but it’s going to take some effort to stay smoke-free in this system. Keep rooting for me—I’ll get there.
by Dan and Bonkers
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