June 2022

“The best therapy of them all…”

Unhoused and unemployed in late 2021, Jake was motivated to put things back together. Despite his determination, after only four days into a new job, a stranger found Jake unconscious in his car on Christmas Eve. He had suffered a stroke while driving, leaving him in a coma for three days on the side of the road.

Jake spent 30 days in the hospital and even longer in a friend’s trailer. He made progress far exceeding the doctors’ expectations, although he still struggled with walking and talking. A month later, he was hospitalized after an assault. After his discharge, he was forced to live out of his car. He told a friend about his situation and lack of income, and he was invited to check out Cultivate Initiatives (CI).

Jake arrived at CI on a Tuesday to work for cash through the Intern Program. He was sent out with the Community Beautification team. Though it was hard work, he is adamant that of all the stroke recovery has done, his work as an intern was “the best therapy of them all.” During this time he made more than just money. He made progress socially and emotionally, saying how powerful it was that he was expected to help and had people counting on him. He made progress physically and practiced speaking again. Working alongside our housing specialist, a week ago Jake signed a lease to his own apartment and is no longer houseless.

Today, Jake continues to make progress - regularly attending physical therapy, taking his blood pressure medication, and working diligently with his other providers. CI is thrilled to be part of his journey. To quote Jake “Through being an Intern, I proved to myself that I have what it takes.”