Peel back the curtain and peek inside, there you will see the true essence of a person. We all are empowered with a bright light. For some that light shines brighter, but for only one reason…instead of keeping it locked inside, they give it permission to glow.

Behind every great cause and every great person exists that light. If you want to change the world, than you have no choice but to let your light shine.

Your shine is your story.

Everybody has a story.

I am Mark Brodinsky and this is Storytelling for Nonprofits.

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Storytelling for Nonprofits: I’ve Been There

“I treat people the way they want to be treated, with respect. You never know when you might be sitting on the other side.”
– V. Jackson

Vernetia Jackson has been there. She’s worked through her challenges and come out on the other side. Because of her experiences, her story is a powerful one to share with those who come through the doors of Health Care Access Maryland. Once you’ve walked a mile in someone else’s shoes, you can feel the footprints and the sometimes painful steps.

Deep empathy comes from shared experience.

For fifteen years Vernetia says she experienced and battled the demons of drug addiction. Despite being, as she describes, “a functioning addict”, it affected everything in her life, including participation in her happy place, the church.

“Toward the end of my drug use I was starting to black out,” says Vernetia. “I was raised in the church, but the drug life kept me in and out. Life was a revolving door. The drug use affected everything I did. Finally, I got tired, I got scared and realized I wasn’t ready to lose my life.  I asked God for help and he took it away from me. I promised I would never do it again. My faith and strength in Christ saved me. It was gone in an instant.”

That instant was more than 13 years ago.

A few years later, clean, sober and back in the swing of life, Vernetia found her way to Heath Care Access Maryland. HCAM is a nonprofit agency that connects residents to public health care coverage and helps them navigate services effectively.  The programs are designed to bridge gaps in services to pregnant and postpartum women, immigrants, people experiencing homelessness, youth in foster care, people with substance use disorders, individuals recently released from jail, and others. Each year the nonprofit also connects more than 145,000 uninsured and under-insured clients to health insurance, health care, and vital community resources. (http://www.healthcareaccessmaryland.org/)

Vernetia says she serves front and center in the Eligibility Division. “I’m basically on the front lines,” says Vernetia. “But in a positive way. I help consumers fill out applications, verify documentation for proof of income and identity and make sure they are applicable for the program. I love helping people. I love that we can take the edge off for people who are trying to get their medical needs met. I’ll say it again, I just love helping people.”

“A lot of my clients open up to me, not sure if it’s me or my aura. Sometimes they not only ask for help, they ask for prayer. I look at my clients as if I was in their shoes. I look at them with dignity, respect and professionalism. I know it’s already hard to make the decision to come here. They are anxious, many have lost insurance and worried about their children and their future. It makes me feel good to take care of their needs and get the situation resolved as soon as possible. They leave me relieved of their burden and know they’ve had it taken care of from a friendly person.”

Friendliness, love and compassion are not only what Vernetia says she gives to her clients, but she says it’s also at the heart of those who work for HCAM.

“I love, love, love my co-workers,” says Vernetia. “We are a family and they show me that every day. Back in November I had a mini-stroke while I was at work. I didn’t notice it, but my team members noticed the difference in me and showed me their love and concern. They got me to the hospital in time, someone even went in the ambulance with me and then waited for my family members to arrive at the hospital.”

When Vernetia lost her mom a few months ago her HCAM “family” was there as well to support her every step of the way. She says it is always a welcoming atmosphere and a good place to be employed. (http://www.healthcareaccessmaryland.org/working-at-hcam/)

“Every person seems to enjoy working here as much as I do,” says Vernetia. “It’s not as strenuous a job as most people think. They give you space to do your work, which helps you to get your daily duties completed. They don’t hover over you, which gives you pleasure doing what you do. It’s a great company to work for with great benefits. If you do what you are supposed to do, then everybody gets along. There is no micro-management and that helps a whole lot.”

That spirit of helping and serving is what Vernetia tries to impart to all she meets.

“There is a case that sticks with me,” says Vernetia. “I had a young lady come in with her son and she was just so distraught. The lady had lost a high-paying job. It was the first time she had to seek outside assistance for funding, while at the same time her son was trying to overcome a drug addiction. I was able to relax her mind and let her know she was actually eligible for the program. I explained everything and her son and I talked as well. He opened up to me and I shared my own story of addiction and how I was able to overcome. His mom said she felt better knowing she could get healthcare, but was still wondering what she was going to do with her life. They came back to me later on and told me they were doing well. She was not in a good place at all when she came to HCAM, but I truly believe it was God who brought them to me to assist them. She is now in a happy place.”

Happiness is what Vernetia wants for herself, her family and her work. You get what you give. Vernetia is focused on bringing the good into other people’s lives, despite the obstacles. “No matter the difficulty or adversity that comes into your life you can overcome,” says Vernetia. You can get to that happy place in your life, become more productive and become more successful. Some things just take time, but you must keep pushing and believing in yourself and in your higher being.

And what about the future for Vernetia? “I’ll be 53 this year,” she says. “My future goal is I plan to retire from HCAM. Right now I’m happy where I am, but I plan to eventually move up the ladder. I love it here. I’m not going anywhere. This is where I’m going to be.”

And why not, Vernetia has already experienced life on the other side. She’s been there and knows that here is a happier place to be.

Until next time, thanks for taking the time.

Your Storyteller,
Mark Brodinsky

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Want a career with HCAM?  http://www.healthcareaccessmaryland.org/working-at-hcam/career-opportunties-at-hcam/

To make a donation, visit: https://healthcareaccessmaryland.mypaysimple.com/s/donate-now

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We are all here to make a difference. So how cool is it when what you want, what you desire, and what you have to give, align with what you do for a living?

The essence of life is growth and if you can take your essence and put it into your work, work that changes other lives, then the world wins. When what we do, what we say and how we act are all in alignment, we radiate authenticity.

So when your mission amplifies the music of your heart, a symphony is born.  Those melodic sounds echo into the narrative that becomes your story.

Everyone has a story.

I am Mark Brodinsky and this is Storytelling for Nonprofits.

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Storytelling for Nonprofits: The Place for Me

“It is not just a customer-service job, it is a difference-making job!” – W. Franklin

Westley Franklin speaks those words with heart and conviction, he loves himself which translates into the love he has for others, and it shows in the work he produces.

Work that changes lives.

“One of the things that drew me to HealthCare Access Maryland is they offered the type of work I love,” says Westley. “I was looking to do something that helps people, to assist them in a meaningful, effective and impactful way. I never want to have the attitude to just do my eight hours and go home. I want to enjoy what I was doing and assist in making a difference.”

Westley knows it’s about caring and hope. He works in the care coordination department for Health Care Access Maryland. HCAM is a nonprofit agency that connects residents to public health care coverage and helps them navigate services effectively.  The programs are designed to bridge gaps in services to pregnant and postpartum women, immigrants, people experiencing homelessness, youth in foster care, people with substance use disorders, individuals recently released from jail, and others. Each year the nonprofit also connects more than 145,000 uninsured and under-insured clients to health insurance, health care, and vital community resources. (http://www.healthcareaccessmaryland.org/)

Once a client is connected to Medicaid, that’s where Westley and his department step in, to provide outreach and make sure the client is maximizing their Medicaid coverage. Westley and his team also receive referrals from healthcare providers, when they need help. For example if they lose contact with a client who may have moved, or simply cannot be located.

“If we can reach these people we will try to find the barrier in the relationship with their primary care provider. It could be lack of transportation, or not being educated on the proper use of their healthcare. In most cases once we receive a referral we try to reach the client by phone at least two times, and if they can’t be reached, we go to the last known address. If we don’t get an answer there we at least leave a door hanger, telling the person to contact us. Even if it looks the person is no longer living there. It’s our procedure, but also our commitment.”

Sometimes, actually most times, commitment pays off and changes lives, including your own.

Westley says he had a recent case where he was contacted because a medical provider had lost contact with an HCAM client. Westley says he called the woman and then he visited the home, but when he got to the address it appeared to be an abandoned building. Still, he left the door hanger.

Westley picks up the story from here: “So a few days pass and I receive a phone call… and it’s the woman contacting me from the information I left – and to make a long story short this woman was living in the abandoned building, so I came back to the location and spoke with her. She was basically squatting in the house, no lights, no running water, the living conditions were not habitable. It was sad. The woman had a bad hip, she had a cane, but was supposed to have a walker. There were also multiple medications needed, related to different illnesses. It just goes to show you that without the proper education how people will just deal with things… and deal with them alone.”

“I was able to put the woman in touch with the medical provider, and I contacted our homeless services for assistance with housing, to help the woman find shelter. That’s another awesome thing about HCAM, having the ability to reach out to another department for help. Even though we have different departments we can operate as one team. This is the first organization I’ve ever seen or worked for where everything is under one roof, or within one operation. We can help people apply for healthcare, do care coordination, we have an eligibility department, behavioral health, addiction help, help for the homeless, a department that assists with foster care… all coming from the same organization. That is why I can say it is impactful and fulfilling for a person when they go home from HCAM and can say ‘I did something today that changed somebody’s life forever, or set them on a different journey.'”

Westley’s own journey has mostly been a positive one. “I was born and raised in Baltimore,” says Westley. “My childhood was a fun childhood. I remember the city well and went to school here. When I was a kid it was definitely a different type of city. I can remember an environment where the adults were more neighborly. They looked out for each other and they looked out for the children as if they were all part of their own family. There was a big emphasis on respect, honor and definitely more resources available for a young child growing up then there are now. After high school I had different retail jobs and different odds-and-ends jobs.  I found that I was always working somewhere in customer service, always in service to someone, helping someone. But there is a big difference in helping a person in retail and helping someone now. How I assist people now is life-changing and personally fulfilling.”

While HCAM is currently at the core of Westley’s heart when it come to making a difference he is also, as a single father, focusing on his children and their healthy development. “I have two children, my boy is 14, my girl is 17,” says Westley. “My son is into computer technology and into music. He plays several instruments, including percussion and clarinet. My daughter wants to be an exterior and interior designer and may go into real estate. I make it a point to protect their innocence, keep them focused on their goals of success, put them it the best position to be able to succeed and make sure they understand the importance of maintaining great character and high integrity.”

Living with integrity and following your passion are what direct Westley’s internal compass. “I’m a man of gratitude,” he says. “And I never lose sight on what I have to be grateful for. I personally feed and build rapport with homeless people I come across in my travels. I’ve seen the effects of what drugs have done to communities of Baltimore. The by-products of this contributes to a lot of circumstances that create barriers in people lives. So when I saw there was a chance to help and assist, removing barriers that hinder people lives through HCAM, it was a perfect fit.”

Westley strives to be a leader and is looking for continued growth to maximize every opportunity that is presented. “There is no cap on information and knowledge and I love to learn and I’m the type of person who will forever be learning,” he says. “I read many books, books on history, motivational books… right now there are several books I’m reading, one is called Propaganda by Edward Bernays. I’m in between that book and a book by Joseph Campbell called The Hero’s Journey.” Westley says he also loves to read comic books, “my attraction to comics is that I love stories that personify attributes and aspects of life that are not tangible. Stories that deal with real-life situations with a little fantasy sprinkled in, as well as the battle between good and evil.”

Life itself can be a battle and we all need each other, especially when the chips are down. Sharing your heart helps and if you can do that through your work, then everyone wins. Westley says he knows he’s found a winner in HCAM: “My heart is into what I do and into the organization. I believe in the mission. I usually won’t work for a company if my heart isn’t in it, because I can’t give you my best effort. One of the things that drew me to HCAM is they offer the type of work I love. Once I saw what they did and went to interview with them, I definitely believed it was the place for me. And it has been, ever since.”

Until next time, thanks for taking the time.

Your Storyteller,
Mark Brodinsky

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Want a career with HCAM?  http://www.healthcareaccessmaryland.org/working-at-hcam/career-opportunties-at-hcam/

To make a donation, visit: http://www.healthcareaccessmaryland.org/

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Want to share your story?
Become part of the billion. You can contact Mark at http://markbrodinsky.life/

 

 

 

You never know just how big your heart can grow. Love is infinite, so is human potential. Fight, survive, thrive, give.

In all of life’s challenges if you hold onto faith and hope you will overcome. The skies do clear, the sun does shine and your light can be a beacon for others to follow.

Create your story and share it to impact the world.

Everyone has a story.

I am Mark Brodinsky and this Storytelling for Nonprofits.

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Storytelling for Nonprofits: Be A Blessing

“My mom always made a way out of no way. I always loved and respected her for that. No matter where you start out in life you can grow and take advantage of opportunities presented.” – Elsie Goodwin

Elsie knows living is giving. She watched her own mother, a teenage parent, fight to make a life for them. Elsie says her mom fought to handle all the challenges of being a young mom – holding down multiple jobs to make ends meet, moved around a lot because of different employment opportunities, enrolling Elsie in multiple schools and utilizing her own parents to make sure Elsie had caring hearts to help her to grow. Elsie says the extra time spent with her grandparents was a blessing in disguise.

“I got a lot of my work ethic from my grandparents and my mom,” says Elsie. “My grandfather did not have the benefit of a great education, but he was a very successful professional truck driver. My grandmother was involved in foster care, taking care of kids. I’ve reaped the benefits of caring for children in my present job, being able to affect their young lives. From my grandparents and my mom I learned to be kind to other people. From childhood I always had an appreciation for hard work and giving back, which I know has been a great benefit to me in helping others because there were times in my life I needed help to move forward.”

Kindness is at the core of Elsie’s life. She serves as Director of Operations for Healthcare Access Maryland. HCAM is a nonprofit agency that connects residents to public health care coverage and helps them navigate services effectively.  The programs are designed to bridge gaps in services to pregnant and postpartum women, immigrants, people experiencing homelessness, youth in foster care, people with substance use disorders, individuals recently released from jail, and others. Each year the nonprofit also connects more than 145,000 uninsured and under-insured clients to health insurance, health care, and vital community resources. (http://www.healthcareaccessmaryland.org/)

As Director of Operations, Elsie is in charge of handling nearly anything and everything to keep the agency running efficiently. Elsie started her run with the organization back in 2000 when it was Baltimore Healthcare Access, and didn’t even realize that the agency was the hub for many of the services that had already benefited her family when she was in need, like MCHIP, (Maryland Children’s Health Insurance Program). Elsie left the organization for a period of time and has recently returned to take on a leadership role and share her own experiences to make other people’s lives better.

“What drives us, (she and the HCAM team), is really making families healthier,” says Elsie. “Educating them about resources available to them and helping them to see they are valued. I wake up every day knowing I can impact someone else’s life. I love being there for my team as well. I provide infrastructure and support for them to do their job.”

The “job” for the team at HCAM always goes above and beyond. Elsie says she has plenty of stories where she or her team jumped into help someone in need at the drop of a hat. “Often times I receive calls,” says Elsie. “I oversee many agency lines and programs and have consumers who call in on the line. This one consumer was very frustrated and candid about where they were in life. I could just hear she needed help. She said she had gone to so many organizations and was lost. I spoke to her, calmed her down and directed her to the right program within HCAM, provided a warm transfer and the director jumped into action and I followed up with the director later in the day. By then the disposition of the consumer had changed and she sounded better. It’s all about helping moms and dads with those challenges, from housing, food assistance, clothing, healthcare, just providing someone with what they need. Just by directing that specific consumer to the best resource in the company I made an impact. It’s amazing something as small as a phone call can really impact a life. We are all dedicated to doing it.”

 

In Elsie’s personal life it’s also about continuing that nurturing spirit.

“My greatest accomplishment in life is being a mom,” says Elsie. “Since my mom was a teenage parent it created certain challenges in my life because of her age, now that I am blessed to be the mother of two, I appreciate having this opportunity. Not everyone gets this opportunity, (to be a mother), so I take it very seriously, being able to provide for them in a way I did not get to experience. I love helping them to grow into future leaders and be involved in the quality of their lives. Both kids are amazing athletes. My son wants to be an engineer, my daughter toggles between pediatrician and lawyer. I told them life is fluid. You don’t have to pick one thing and do it until the end of time. Experience new things and see what is a good fit. Life is not meant to be something that’s limited.”

 

Leading her family is a major force in Elsie’s life, but so is being a leader at HCAM. “I love being a leader at the organization,” says Elsie. “Our portfolio is amazing. We’ve got access to mental health programs, substance abuse, health insurance. There’s even a niche for workforce development. So many of our consumers are truly talented, but because of life experiences they didn’t get formal training or mentorship, or exposure to workforce development. They are eager to provide for their family and advance in life, but they might not have all of those tools. It’s not a robust area for us, we outsource a lot of that, but we are working on making that part of our niche offerings.”

Living is giving. Giving in the work you do and giving to make other lives better. For Elsie it’s also about belief in yourself and faith. “My faith has been my ongoing foundation,” she says. “Whether it’s thinking back to my early beginnings, to now, to appreciate the blessings I have – my faith is very much a part  of my daily life in how I treat people and respect people. I wake up wanting to be a blessing to someone else – it can be as simple as saying, ‘how are you?’ with a smile and how I approach my work and just being kind to others. That’s lost in society today. I teach my children to be grateful and humble. I do the same. I want people to know the motivation behind my work, and do a great job for the organization.

“But it’s a higher calling you must serve – it’s how you are treat people and help those in need, without the desire to get anything in return. My work is my service. And of course my children are my world, they mean everything to me. From the moment I wake up, I thank God for another day. There is always someone out there less fortunate than you. If I’m able to help someone in their life then that is really a blessing to me.”

Your Storyteller,
Mark Brodinsky

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To learn more about Healthcare Access Maryland, visit, http://www.healthcareaccessmaryland.org/

For more inspiring stories and to have Mark Brodinsky share your story to help your business or non-profit visit,  http://markbrodinsky.life/

 

 

“It’s better to give before you receive. If your interactions are ruled by generosity, your rewards will follow suit.”– Keith Ferrazzi

It’s a simple game when it comes to giving back to enrich the lives of others. Being part of a nonprofit you hopefully get to see it from both sides – the act of your service, the result of your labor, the glory of a life changed for the better.

Every nonprofit is a great cause, but the cause resonates more deeply when you know the story.

Everyone has a story.

I am Mark Brodinsky and this is Storytelling for Nonprofits.

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Storytelling for Nonprofits: Making A Difference

Life’s about love. Living is giving. Who can I serve, how can I serve?

For most of her adult life, one that was far from easy, Cherina Truitt-Stevenson has put all of this on display – loving, giving and serving those in need – as a Pregnancy Engagement Specialist for Health Care Access Maryland, (http://www.healthcareaccessmaryland.org/).

HCAM is is a nonprofit agency that connects residents to public health care coverage and helps them navigate services effectively.  The programs are designed to bridge gaps in services to pregnant and postpartum women, immigrants, people experiencing homelessness, youth in foster care, people with substance use disorders, individuals recently released from jail, and others. Each year the nonprofit also connects more than 145,000 uninsured and underinsured clients to health insurance, health care, and vital community resources.

Cherina has been an instrumental part of HCAM’s history – the nonprofit is celebrating its 20th Anniversary, (https://one.bidpal.net/hcam20th/welcome), and for these two decades Cherina has been there every step of the way. It’s all about helping others. Cherina has seen much in her young life.

“I didn’t have the best experience growing up,” says Cherina. “I come from a home of five children. There was a good deal of trauma I was exposed to as a little girl. Growing up in the heart of the city, a troubled community, it actually inspired me with the courage to finish school and help people, all cultures. I’ve seen a lot even with my personal family experience. I was the only one out of the five children who graduated high school. It was hard growing up in a house where my mom was not able to give me the financial support as other kids my age.” Cherina says her mom suffered with the trauma of domestic violence and she and her siblings were removed from the family home, while her mom sought shelter and refuge at the House of Ruth. We had to go through the process, but eventually we were all reunited.”

Pregnant at the age of 18, Cherina learned first-hand about the challenges of a healthy pregnancy and it’s now one of the reasons she is so adamant about helping others through the process. When Cherina first started with HCAM it was known as Baltimore Healthcare Access. She helped to expand the healthy kids program and became a care coordination associate. It was all about working with nurses and social workers to get the proper care for pregnant women, as well as helping the children to get the quality healthcare they needed, and educating young mothers on the proper care for their babies.

“I’ve always been part of the care coordination program,” Cherina says. “At one time I did the safe sleep program. For example I would go to the home and do demos for the moms to show them how to put their baby in the pack-and-play and to baby proof the home for the new infant. I’d teach them the ABC’s of safe sleep.”

Cherina says she has always loved to help other people and she enjoys the feedback and the appreciation that comes from lending that guiding hand.  She has seen it all as HCAM has expanded and grown over these past two decades.

“With HCAM I wear many hats,” she says. “I’ve seen it grow from only three programs, to now about 16 programs. Where there is a need, we try to fulfill that need. I can tell you that I and everyone associated with HCAM go above and beyond to service every client, no matter what. It’s a team. When it comes time to get together and talk the managers listen to everyone’s ideas. There is no “i” in team. We all work together and there are plenty of us who are very resourceful as well.”

Cherina says it’s all about collaboration.

“With my colleagues, my co-workers, being here is like your home,” Cherina says. You are here eight hours a day or more and you get to know the different people and different talents and many times all of those talents put together can make a difference. I see all the potential in my colleagues and I love their drive to want to help. When we come in here we greet each other with a smile. If I have  a bad day at home, then seeing my colleagues puts a smile on my face. It’s a blessing to come here. Everyone is trying to help each other. When it comes to work you would never know if there was any animosity, we all pull together to do our job. It’s all about serving people.”

Cherina has experienced many of the same things her clients face and so she is driven and inspired to fulfill her roles at HCAM and make a difference. In her current role as Pregnancy Engagement Specialist, Cherina focuses on intensive outreach. Sometimes she ends up taking clients to doctor appointments. She reaches out to close friends or significant others on their behalf to encourage them to give her client support. It’s all about getting the mother and the newborn the proper to not just survive, but to thrive.

Cherina knows it, because she has lived the health challenges first-hand. Two decades ago, during her own pregnancy, Cherina says there were complications. She ended up giving birth to twin preemies, weighing only 1.6 and 1.8 oz at birth. She was told they were not going to make it, but three months later they all left the hospital together.  In hindsight Cherina says she might not have had the pregnancy issues if she had better monitoring. She was stressed by financial issues. She should have been on bedrest but didn’t listen. She says she did not have anyone to ask her, ‘Is there anything I can help you with?‘  Yet this is exactly the question she gets to ask her clients now… and she says it makes all the difference.

“Many people don’t realize how good they could have it if they just open the door to our services. We want to help. It’s all about having a healthy pregnancy. We want to take the stress off of the mother, so she does not feel so overwhelmed. We want those who see us on the streets to know we are here to help, to give, not to take anything away. We only want to help.”

HCAM is making strides every day because of people like Cherina, who are an integral part of the mission. It’s been 20 proud years of helping and serving parts of the community that need it the most. “Knowing that my involvement or participation did change that person’s view of community outreach,” Cherina says. “That’s what is most important to me. It’s all about making a difference in someone’s life.”

Your Storyteller,
Mark Brodinsky

HCAM is celebrating 20 years next month, learn more about the special gala and get your tickets: https://one.bidpal.net/hcam20th/welcome

If you would like to become one of the proud members of Healthcare Access Maryland and see up-close the challenging and rewarding work that changes lives, you can click on the link to learn more, (http://www.healthcareaccessmaryland.org/working-at-hcam/).