A Case Manager with a Case Manager – Denise’s Story

Fleeing domestic violence, Denise Wilcox and her children were living in a motel when a friend from work encouraged her to contact the Mission. Reluctant at first, Denise finally agreed. When she arrived at the Mission, her case manager, Naomi Ings, prepared a detailed case plan for Denise and her children, and the family began to work toward achieving those goals. With only one course left to earn her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice - Human Services, job one was to finish her degree. “I was sweating bullets,” Denise said of taking that last test, “and I passed!” Naomi encouraged her to apply for a job as a case manager with Miracle of Love, a non-profit organization that provides HIV/AIDS care, education, and prevention services. She got the job and now works with women experiencing high-risk pregnancies. “I liked to tell everybody that I was a case manager with a case manager,” she joked. Denise uses the lessons she learned with Naomi as a blueprint for how to serve the women under her care and encourages many of them to come to the Mission. The next goal was to learn how to budget and save money. “I love the savings program!” she said. While at the Mission, Denise saved 75% of each paycheck. When her old car broke down, she had cash to replace it, and in June 2020, she was able to make a down payment to buy her own house. Today she shares the principles she learned with others, encouraging them to save their money and spend wisely. “The kids are doing great,” she said. Aahliyah works at Sea World, Kentrell is a caregiver with Open Hearts and Praying Hands, working with the mentally disabled, and Kendra is a student at Trinity Christian Academy. “The Mission made my kids and me better people. I learned to stop questioning God and just go by faith.” Denise is so thankful for the donors. “OURM is the only one that brings you in broken, but if you follow the plan, you’ll leave set for life.”