Three PDG Programs and One Giant Success

In 2013, JJ was 39 years old and lived in Odenton, MD. He was trying to manage his major depressive disorder diagnosis, suicidal thoughts, and drug abuse, but struggling to find the right resources. JJ had two children he wasn’t able to see often and hadn’t been able to maintain employment. Despite his obstacles, JJ didn’t stop trying. JJ started getting the counseling he needed. He also enrolled in programs with two different rehabilitation agencies, but they didn’t have the support he was looking for. There, “people would fall asleep listening to you,” JJ said.

Finally, his therapist at Vesta, Inc. referred him to PDG’s Psychiatric Rehabilitation Program (PRP) and he began services 9/26/13. Through the PRP, JJ found real, compassionate, and intelligent support. JJ’s care coordinator worked with him on a mental health treatment plan, housing, staying clean, creating a safety plan, and avoiding hospitalizations. JJ said his mental health care coordinators “helped me out getting a lot of stuff done that I didn’t think could get done.”

As JJ’s recovery progressed, JJ also enrolled in the PDG vocational program on 1/13/14 to search for employment. Then, when JJ was denied SSDI benefits, he also began working with PDG’s SOAR program to submit an SSDI benefits appeal. Unfortunately, JJ was denied benefits again, but JJ was thankful for the help he received from all his mental health care coordinators and employment specialists: “they was all wonderful!”

In 2015, JJ was still happy and active with PDG. JJ had joined the PRP Day Program, and “that helped a lot,” JJ explained. “People cared and I started hearing stories from other people going through the same thing.” After years of hard work and active participation in all programs, JJ got a job with Giant Food on 3/8/17 in the meat and seafood department. His hours increased as his managers saw how reliable he was, and after almost four years, in July 2017 JJ decided to leave PDG.

In January 2018, JJ’s former care coordinator ran into him. Sometimes, these meetings show how the consumer may have needed to stay in services or how the consumer still struggles. But not this time – JJ’s successes didn’t stop with PDG. JJ is training to be the manager of the meat and seafood department at Giant. He was able to save enough money to purchase his own car, a long-term goal he’d had in order to access his community and see his children more often. JJ increased his social interaction and is even able to provide emotional support to a neighbor that was sick. JJ is now playing a more active role in his children’s lives due to his financial stability, transportation availability, and mental stability.

No one could have done all this except JJ. His commitment to his own health over the years allowed him to move forward and upward, and PDG is proud to have helped him on that path. When asked what he felt could be improved at PDG, JJ couldn’t think of anything. “PDG was wonderful,” JJ recounted. “I was glad I got a chance to work with you guys… you guys listen and care.”

Congratulations, JJ!