A poem and theme exploration by Haven Housing staff, Natalie Anderson
In this chair tough women let down walls
In this chair clients become friends
In this chair I hear stories of tragic loss and I hear stories of great victory
And I literally see life change happen
In this chair I’ve watched women cry
Over the death of loved ones, nightmares, re-lived trauma, seeing an abuser, fear of being pregnant, having cravings
In this chair I’ve watched women smile with excitement
Over getting an apartment, a car, passing a test, a forklift certificate, a job offer, regaining custody of their kids, finding out their mom woke up from her coma, having a night of sober fun
In this chair I’ve helped women fill out paperwork
For a new home, a new job, a new car, a new life
This chair has been a place for countless tears, hard conversations, honesty, transparency, laughter, celebration, and joy
This chair offers a fresh start
To be seen and heard and known and believed in
For maybe the first time in their lives
Some women sit in this chair multiple times a day and others only sit for a few moments a week
In this chair my eyes have looked upon some of the strongest, most resilient, beautiful, joyful, healing women
Some ask me for advice, some ask me to keep them accountable, and others ask me to listen and just sit with them
In this chair I am reminded that redemption is for everyone, grace is to be extended, and forgiveness is needed
In this chair I am reminded of why I do what I do
I’m reminded of the beauty and redemption in my own story
In this chair I see myself
And I know I am where I was always meant to be
In this chair women find
Their voice, their strength, their beauty, their story, their worth, their purpose
And I get to live out mine
I remember when I first decided I wanted to be a social worker, I was a sophomore in high school and I decided I wanted to change the world, save lives, and make a difference. Over the last 7 years my idea of what it means to be a social worker has shifted, but more importantly the notion that I can “save lives” has changed as well. I cannot “save” anyone’s life - the women I work with day in and day out have to be the ones to choose for themselves that they want to make a change, that they want to have a different life, that they will show up and make the changes necessary to not just survive, but to truly thrive!
I, as a social worker, or rather their case manager, have the great honor to be invited on the journey with them. I cheer them on, hold them accountable, challenge them, support them, believe in them, and celebrate them. Sometimes there are big, loud, obvious victories and other times there are small changes. So small that if I don’t truly sit in the moment with them and be present for all that is unfolding, I can miss it.
The thing about all of this is that it simply is an invitation. I make myself available, but they have to choose to enter my office, to sit down in my chair, and allow me to journey with them. And when they do sit in my chair, so much life unfolds!