Queva Hubbard and Monica Sena are full of energy, joy, and laughter. It’s clear they’ve become close friends who celebrate each other’s individual strengths and talents. Each new day they seize the opportunity to work on maintaining their own recovery and progress while helping other women along the way.
Mo, a graduate of Maya’s Place, and Qu, a graduate of The Pavilions, joined the Crossroads for Women team as Peer Support Interns in February 2018. Guided by the leadership of Cory Lee, Director of Therapeutic Services, they’ve helped launch a new Peer-on-Peer Support Services (P.O.P.S.S.) program designed to support graduates of Crossroads for Women housing programs to complete long term goals and utilize coping skills needed to maintain life recovery.
We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Qu and Mo to learn more about P.O.P.S.S. and how they’re both striving to empower and support their peers.
What challenges and obstacles do women face once they graduate from a Crossroads for Women program?
Mo: I’ve heard women say they’ve felt bored, lonely, and that they didn’t know anybody anymore. When I graduated thank goodness I stayed connected to Maya’s Place and Crossroads. But I did feel distanced at first and kind of alone. There was no structure anymore. I didn’t know what to do with my time.
Qu: Resources. Leaving a program where you’re housed and have a family specialist, vocational specialist, and case manager is hard. There are a lot of people there to support you. If you have a question or concern you have someone to go to. But once you leave it’s more fend for yourself. A lot of women that I speak with have questions like: What do I do now? Where do I go? Who do I speak with?
We’re here with our hands out. That’s the biggest thing we’re offering. Whenever women are ready, we’re here.
How is P.O.P.S.S. addressing women’s needs after they graduate?
Qu: The feeling of acceptance right at graduation is key. Women need to know they’re not alone. Yes, it’s the end of something but it’s also the beginning of something. We’re the support for that new beginning. Through texts, emails, and social media we’re trying to keep everyone connected without being in one room. We also hold weekly gatherings to make in-person connections.
Mo: For me, recovery is a lifelong process in changing my thinking. And some women don’t need that and that’s cool but it’s always an option. And it’s a choice that they make. They’re not mandated to come so it’s up to them. We help them get a ride, childcare, whatever they need to be involved. The struggle is real and it’s tough out there. I know I like being able to say it’s my choice to come and I’m here and I’m accountable. It helps your self esteem and then you start getting connected and accessing more resources. P.O.P.S.S. helps me and I hope it’s the same for other women.
What types of services and resources are you providing to graduates through P.O.P.S.S.?
Qu: If a graduate needs help filling out a housing application, we’re here. If they’re having a bad day and need someone to talk to on the phone or text, we’re here. Or if they’re graduating and need helping furnishing their new home, we’re here. We also hold weekly gatherings to give women the opportunity to connect with each other.
We’re doing some of the footwork for the ladies and just laying it out on the table like glitter. What color do you want? This is all yours.
Mo: A lot of these women are ex-felons and need help finding jobs. We do that. Qu and I are willing to go with someone to ISD to apply for food stamps or go with them to a doctor’s appointment. Those kinds of things are scary to do on your own and you might put them off if you don’t have support. We really just want to be that support.
Qu: For example, today I went to a meeting with Homewise and I learned a lot about buying a home. This is something I would like to implement into P.O.P.S.S. There are a lot of women who are getting on their feet who are ready to own a home. I went and got all the information. That’s the kind of stuff that’s very important. We’re doing some of the footwork for the ladies and just laying it out on the table like glitter. What color do you want? This is all yours.
Mo: The best thing I think too is that Qu and I are in recovery. We’ve been through a Crossroads program and graduated. And we’ve had struggles. When other graduates talk to us about something they know we can relate.
We’re survivors not victims. All women need to know that. Yeah things have happened to us but look where we’ve come.
Mo: It’s also significant that we attend graduations. It’s cool to see their progress and gives us the opportunity to give them information about P.O.P.S.S. We also run peer support groups at Maya’s Place and The Pavilions to help build relationships with the women before they graduate. That way it’s not like, wait who are you?
What are your future goals for P.O.P.S.S.?
Qu: My goal is for P.O.P.S.S. to be something the women look forward to when they join a Crossroads for Women program. That it’s set in stone that P.O.P.S.S. is here to stay. I can already see that this is going to be big. A lot of women are getting drawn to it. It’s important to address what happens next after graduation.
Mo: My goal is to continue to support the women who need help, not only in their recovery but in their life. Not to be selfish, but providing that support also helps me. It’s amazing how much I learn when I do things like lead groups. I just want to be there because I like to see my peers graduate and change.
Qu: Everyday is a struggle but you’re winning. That’s what P.O.P.S.S. is. We’re winners.
“I know I wanted to leap into greatness when I graduated and that’s just not the way it works.” – Mo
“Maybe a hop.” – Qu
“Or maybe a skip? I think I’d look cute skipping.” – Mo
“One skip at a time.” – Qu
Mo: We’re survivors not victims. Women need to know that. Yeah things have happened to us but look where we’ve come. Don’t feel sorry for yourself, look at you. I knew you in prison and now I see you and you’re the general manager of a restaurant.
Qu: I tell my ladies at The Pavilions that you can stay focused on your old chapter–front, back, sideways–but you can also start new today. What does your next chapter look like? We are that next chapter. The new beginning.
Mo: I think P.O.P.S.S. reinforces the idea that you have to take baby steps. And we help women through those baby steps. Sometimes something looks really difficult and you don’t want to do it. But then you make a phone call or pick up a form. We’re there to provide that support.
Mo: I know I wanted to leap into greatness when I graduated and that’s just not the way it works.
Qu: Maybe a hop.
Mo: Or maybe a skip? I think I’d look cute skipping.
Qu: One skip at a time.
– As told to Clarissa Earl. Adapted for length and clarity.