Success Story - Avis

Challenge

For years, as she fought bipolar symptoms, depression, anxiety and panic attacks, Avis Walker lived in and out of homeless shelters. As a result, she lost custody of her three children who, at the time, were ages 4, 7 and 10. As with many bipolar individuals, maintaining stability has been an ongoing challenge for Avis. Yet despite setbacks, Avis has learned to persevere to get her life on a stable footing.

Before: Avis was homeless and unemployed.
After: Avis became a switchboard operator at the Call Center Operations Fire Command Center, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital, Denver, CO. She also became a homeowner!

What it took to make the difference...

In 1995 in Denver, the Samaritan House shelter referred Avis to the community rehabilitation program at Bayaud Industries.  Avis was fortunate in that she received support both from Bayaud Industries as well as from doctors. It was the physicians who were able to diagnose her disability and finally provide appropriate medications to help control her illness.

Giving life meaning
After participating in Bayaud Industries’ vocational rehabilitation program, Avis landed her first job in mailroom operations at Bayaud Industries. With some experience, she then interviewed and was hired as a switchboard operator at the Call Center Operations Fire Command Center, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Denver, Colorado. “My job gives me a chance to be productive,” says Avis.

It takes one hour and three buses to commute to her job. However, Avis doesn't mind, as she finally had a place to go.

Success

Work
During her initial training, the pressure associated with the job—with numerous calls, medical codes and alrms day and night—seemed overwhelming. Determined to succeed, Avis worked hard to become an integral part of the Fire Command Team, eventually attaining the role of assistant lead operator.

From Homeless to Homeowner
With the steady income from employment, Avis moved from the homeless shelter into her own apartment. In 1999, having worked diligently to reestablish her credit, Avis purchased her own condominium.

Family
Throughout her struggle, Avis kept one goal in mind—to convince the courts that she was a capable and responsible mother and, ultimately to get custody of her children.

Avis, working toward that goal, spent the last two summers in Denver with her children. These visits were the first extended, unsupervised times she had spent with her children since they were removed from her custody. The outcome has been very positive for both Avis and her children. 

Lessons Learned

Avis gained the skills to manage her illness, maintain successful employment, purchase a home, and work towards regaining custody of her children.

Note: Since this interview was conducted, Avis went to the regional Environmental Protection Agency to work in the mailroom and then subsequently relocated out of state.

Know someone who could benefit from Bayaud Industries' services?
Call today. Call 303-830-6885 now.

“Every day that I go to work, I remind myself that I am doing this so that I can have a normal life and get my children back."

"I thank God for putting Bayaud Industries in my life.”

Avis Walker

From homeless to homeowner...getting the keys to her own condo was an incredible moment.