Rosella
My “S.O.A.R.” Journey by Rosella Hill Breller
I pulled the car into the driveway January 7, 2017, and just sat there. I don’t think I had ever felt so defeated, or vulnerable, or numb. Dad had died three days before, and I had just come back from the bank where I found out they froze his account after reading his Obituary. I looked at the front of the house, and said to myself, “Where will I go? How will I move? Who will hire me at 60 years old?, How am I going to buy gas and food??” All realities that I had not been faced with in decades.
I was 60 years old and had been out of the workforce for over 13 years to care for my elderly father. Previously, I had been a business owner, and worked in the Corporate Hotel industry, but gladly gave it up to take care of my Dad.
In December of 2016, I had decided to enroll in school in the Tuition Waiver program at University of West Florida in January to get some classes to prepare for the inevitable day that I would need to go back to work. Dad was pleased with my decision. I was pleased with my decision!! 3 weeks later, he was gone.
And now, there I sat, shaking my head, in the car, wondering why I should bother walking through the door. He wasn’t there, I had no food, and I had no gas, and I had no clue…
I had been a volunteer and a Board Member for Catholic Charities of NW Florida, but I was not going to ask them for help. I had names of other Agencies, and for the first time in my life, I was going through the list given to me by 211, and feeling very discouraged since I was single, had no minor children, and unable to connect with an appointment for assistance. Thankfully, I was approved for Emergency Food Stamps for the first time in my entire life, and I was grateful. I was able to muddle through with the basics for a month, but then I was faced with delinquent Mortgage payments, unpaid utility bills, etc.
A couple of months later, I was blessed with a phone call from the Executive Director of Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida who offered me a job. I did not hesitate and accepted it immediately. It seemed full circle as I was adopted through Catholic Charities, the Pensacola Agency that I was now working for, in 1956. For the second time in my lifetime, CCNWFL had saved my life.
As grateful as I was for my job, I knew I needed and wanted to expand my skill set, and I needed to increase my income to be able to sustain. My income was enough to cover my expenses, but too much for me to keep my Food Stamps, so immediately, I was operating in the negative, so that I could buy groceries.
I had met a CCNWFL co-worker, Veronica Burnett, who shared the same first name as my Mother. She was kind enough to hear my frustrations at times, and she knew how badly I wanted to change my circumstances.
I had heard that she had taken a job at SOAR and wanted to call and congratulate her. In our conversation, she knew I was still struggling and suggested I fill out an application for the SOAR program. I was a little hesitant, as I just did not know what could be done for me at my age, and with my lack of current and updated office skills, as well as some physical and cosmetic attributes I was lacking that had not been an issue in my Corporate days. I had half of a smile, extra weight, and little self-esteem or confidence in my present self.
I filled out the application and submitted and had no idea how that program was going to enhance my future, but was willing to give it a chance.
It was the best decision I have made in many years! The SOAR program and its staff have changed my life, my perspective, and my potential in a plethora of ways.
It was a decision that had an impact on my life that I never imagined.
In the past year, I have been able, with the help of the SOAR Program, to narrow down a field of study, receive an Accredited Online Study Program in Personal and Private Chef Culinary Business Planning, obtain Membership in the American Personal and Private Chef Association, and be listed online as a qualified Personal Chef in the Northwest Florida region. Not only did the SOAR program provide me with the Online Study Program, but they have given me monthly transportation reimbursement, and hours of constructive and productive input and direction to help me succeed not only at my present job, but in my efforts to enhance my capacity in my present job, as well as build a viable business to provide security in the future. My greatest fears were that I would not be able to be financially independent at my age and in the future when opportunities are not always available. The SOAR program has opened up avenues for me that even I could not have imagined.
This summer, I have had multiple bookings for Personal and Private Chef jobs as well as Catering jobs. The credentials that the APPCA provides me gives me the confidence and the empowerment to market myself, and my skills while providing the customer with same said confidence in hiring my services. The additional income has insured that I can pay my monthly bills without the stress and worry of two years ago.
It is almost overwhelming to think about the other avenues opening up to me because of the staff of the SOAR program believing in me! One of the obstacles of obtaining employment, for me personally, was dental issues that have occurred in the past few years. I no longer feel comfortable in social aspects of my current job, or when I talk to clients. Losing a part of my smile has been devasting, and a personal loss that I cannot describe. I have been recommended to the Vocational Rehabilitation program for consideration to repair my smile and provide much needed dental care, and this alone was something I thought would be something I would need to tackle IF I could ever afford it. In the Food and Hospitality Industry, personal connections are important, and I know I am not myself, when watching every word I say, or making sure to smile in such a way that I have to hide a part of me that once was vibrant and effective.
I think back on that day I sat in the driveway, feeling lost, and had someone told me about the possibilities and blessings that would be provided to me through a program, I would not have believed it. I have a sense of real purpose, and accomplishment. I feel empowered that I can be a success, and plan for my future at a challenging age, and the SOAR program provided me with the tools to achieve these goals.
I work for Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida in the Emergency Assistance Program. Each day I screen and talk to dozens of people who call us for assistance with their Rent, Utilities, Food, and more. Each person that calls me is in desperate need of assistance in their present life. We have limited funds and appointments, so I am not able to always help or give them assistance at that moment, but what I try to do, is give them another avenue to search for resolution. If I know of another Agency, or program, I give them the contact information. Sometimes, I listen to what they are telling me, and though they may not meet the criteria for our funding, I counsel them on their budget, or make suggestions to help them bide some time. I do this, because I know what it feels like to feel hopeless. I know what it feels like to have doors closed, through no fault of your own, and wonder how you are going to resolve your current situation. A simple phone number or kind word leaves that client with a glimmer of hope, and courage to make that next phone call…That is what the SOAR program did for me. The staff and the tools gave me hope. The program has empowered me to feel confident and excited about my future, and my abilities. At any given time, I could have been one of those clients on the other end of my desk phone, but now, I know I have options and I also have the desire and capability, with the right tools to SOAR!!!!