'Mike' is an immigrant to the United States. He came to the U.S. several years ago. Somewhere along the way he lost his permanent residency card. In order to apply for SSI benefits, get a Social Security card and do many other things, 'Mike' needed a replacement permanent resident card. To get a replacement card, he and I had to jump through many hoops and wait for several months. After almost a year of completing paperwork, verifying addresses, making calls and attending appointments, 'Mike' finally got a replacement permanent resident card. This was 'Mike's' first accomplishment.
While he was waiting for his duplicate permanent residence card, 'Mike' was also getting his teeth pulled so that he may get an entire set of dentures. His teeth had deteriorated largely because of his past heavy use of methamphetamine. He actually started the process of getting dentures around four years ago, when he was still occasionally using, but quit the process when he got scared about the dedication it entailed. After a few years of putting the rest of the dental work off, 'Mike' decided to go all out again. This time he stuck with the process, and a few weeks back, after being without any teeth for a year and without a top set of teeth for almost four years, Mike got a full set of dentures. It was like looking at a totally different person, and he said he felt like a totally different person. All of his praise and thanks went to the CASS Dental Clinic, which provided 'Mike' with their services throughout the entire process, at no cost to 'Mike'.
During the last few months 'Mike' decided to quit another lifelong habit of his, smoking. He enrolled in a support program, got some nicotine patches and used his will to stop the deadly habit. His time without cigarettes is not without it's trying times, but so far, 'Mike' has not had a cigarette in 100 days. In addition, to being clean for several months now, 'Mike' is also nicotine free and loving it.

'Mike's' most recent accomplishment occurred when he moved into his own apartment. Thanks to an agency that provides vouchers for housing for people diagnosed with a severe mental illness, like 'Mike' has, he was able to get his own one bedroom apartment and move out of our shelter. Today, I delivered a mattress and chair to 'Mike's' new apartment and he couldn't thank me enough for both pieces of furniture. He also made mention several times about how much he liked his apartment and appreciated having his own place.
'Mike's' next challenge is to start his own non profit business that he envisions, will help people recycle their aluminum cans. He says he has already visited with a consultant regarding his idea and plans to now talk to the ASU School of Non Profit Management.
If his prior successes are any indication of his future, we may be talking about a future non profit owner.