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CHARTING A NEW COURSE: RICK’S JOURNEY OF HOPE AND TRANSFORMATION
Nov 01, 2024
Rick went to the Turning Point Center in Barre on a whim. He felt they accepted him and allowed him to choose his own path.
Rick had recently stopped drinking. At 65, he had been “an alcoholic for 50 of those years.” He moved around a lot, to eight states and numerous cities. He never stayed long enough at a job for retirement. Now, he was working with a psychologist and looking at building his future.
Rick had recently stopped drinking. At 65, he had been “an alcoholic for 50 of those years.” He moved around a lot, to eight states and numerous cities. He never stayed long enough at a job for retirement. Now, he was working with a psychologist and looking at building his future.
First Steps to a Better Future
The Turning Point Center was where Rick met Lorcan, a Senior Account Manager for Working Fields. Rick found him “easy to talk to” and felt he understood what Rick was going through.
Working Fields offered Rick a supportive environment where he could take his life in a new direction. He continued to meet with Lorcan after their first encounter at the Turning Point and decided that Working Fields’ open position at Central Vermont Medical Center (CVMC) would be a good place to start. Lorcan submitted him to the job at CMVC and matched Rick with a peer coach for free, weekly sessions.
At first, Rick worked in Environmental Services at CVMC, but soon found that the physical demands of the job weren’t a good fit for him. Lorcan coordinated a different position for him at the hospital where he could use his mind more than his body, and Rick started in the Nutrition Department. He thrived in his new role, working with hospital employees in the cafeteria.
He found that CVMC’s culture was “like one great big family.” It was a change of pace for him. He shared, “When I was drinking, I alienated people. Now I find myself surrounded by people and I’m having a lot of fun with it.” Rick was welcomed by his supervisor Sandy and manager Steve, who took the time to listen to his story and encouraged him to express his needs.
Working Fields offered Rick a supportive environment where he could take his life in a new direction. He continued to meet with Lorcan after their first encounter at the Turning Point and decided that Working Fields’ open position at Central Vermont Medical Center (CVMC) would be a good place to start. Lorcan submitted him to the job at CMVC and matched Rick with a peer coach for free, weekly sessions.
At first, Rick worked in Environmental Services at CVMC, but soon found that the physical demands of the job weren’t a good fit for him. Lorcan coordinated a different position for him at the hospital where he could use his mind more than his body, and Rick started in the Nutrition Department. He thrived in his new role, working with hospital employees in the cafeteria.
He found that CVMC’s culture was “like one great big family.” It was a change of pace for him. He shared, “When I was drinking, I alienated people. Now I find myself surrounded by people and I’m having a lot of fun with it.” Rick was welcomed by his supervisor Sandy and manager Steve, who took the time to listen to his story and encouraged him to express his needs.
Embracing Support Along the Way
Rick spoke to his peer coach on the phone every Thursday, updating him on his life and discussing his goals. Rick appreciated that “it’s been a very relaxed support – no religion, no politics, none of that.” This type of support has allowed him to set his own direction.
Rick dedicated himself to his work and his new future. “I never missed work. Weekends, holidays, I’m right there.” Soon, he was ready to convert from a Working Fields associate to a permanent hospital employee at CVMC. He credits his support system with much of his success: his sister, his peer coach, the hospital staff, and Lorcan and Working Fields, who were “there every step of the way.”
When Rick permanently joined the cafeteria team, the director took a moment during the team’s daily huddle to highlight his journey. Rick stood in front of his team and proudly shared his experiences at Working Fields and with sobriety. His coworkers applauded him enthusiastically.
Rick dedicated himself to his work and his new future. “I never missed work. Weekends, holidays, I’m right there.” Soon, he was ready to convert from a Working Fields associate to a permanent hospital employee at CVMC. He credits his support system with much of his success: his sister, his peer coach, the hospital staff, and Lorcan and Working Fields, who were “there every step of the way.”
When Rick permanently joined the cafeteria team, the director took a moment during the team’s daily huddle to highlight his journey. Rick stood in front of his team and proudly shared his experiences at Working Fields and with sobriety. His coworkers applauded him enthusiastically.
A New Outlook on Life
Looking back now, Rick is amazed. “A couple years ago, life was very different. I’m looking at life totally differently and a lot of it is because of Working Fields, and Turning Point, and people in my past who have showed me consideration.”
He’s excited to explore his future, both at the hospital and in hobbies old and new. “My true personality has come out… Looking forward to things is something I never thought I’d do.” He’s also eager to share what he’s learned with others. As Rick puts it, “I’ve come a long way not by doing anything but just changing my life.”
He’s excited to explore his future, both at the hospital and in hobbies old and new. “My true personality has come out… Looking forward to things is something I never thought I’d do.” He’s also eager to share what he’s learned with others. As Rick puts it, “I’ve come a long way not by doing anything but just changing my life.”