When Linda met Hailey, an occupational therapist at Project Renewal’s New Providence Women’s Shelter, they instantly connected. Linda had just moved in after sleeping on the subway for over a year, and together, they began to address all aspects of Linda’s well-being—starting with seeing an optometrist for her critical vision challenges.
“Once I got eye care, everything changed for me,” Linda says. “I am more alert and aware. I can get around, and I’m tuned in to what I need to do to achieve my next goals.”
Linda’s success story is one of many. As we’ve expanded occupational therapy across 20 of our programs, we’ve strengthened integration and collaboration. Occupational therapists are a hub of resources, connecting clients to multiple services for long-term stability. For Linda, that meant getting access to mental and physical health care and visiting our shelter-based dentist, which improved her ability to eat, and gave her confidence in her smile.
Linda worked with Hailey to hone skills for independence, like budgeting, reducing stress, and managing interpersonal relationships. She is proud of how far she has come, and looks forward to getting her own apartment, re-entering the workforce, and reconnecting with her family.
“Project Renewal helped me live my life how I want to live it,” Linda says.
