A Conversation with Anita Watley

Interviewed by Patti Thomas Hanks

Anita and her teenage daughter stayed at Alpha House for three months, and during that time Anita completed her GED, found full-time employment and located an apartment in Ypsilanti (Depot Town). Anita is working at a job she likes, but would like to start a nonprofit business rehabilitating cats and then adopting them to good families. She is taking classes at WCC in small business entrepreneurship to help her reach her goal. Anita is a woman of great courage.

Patti: We miss seeing you at Alpha House. You brought a lot of joy and compassion to the shelter.

Anita: But it was really hard in the beginning. At first I didn’t like it. I didn’t want to be there. I think that’s true for most people. It’s hard not to be at home, and for me it was hard to go to bed at midnight. The kids are sleeping but you’re in a room with them and it’s hard to sleep. When I got there I had so much on my mind, so much stress, and you’re not at home.

Patti: Did that feeling diminish after a while?

Anita: Eventually. When you get busy and start working on your plan and start talking about your strategies. When I got there I didn’t want to think about leaving. I was glad to be with my daughter and not have to worry about meals or the utilities getting shut off. We lost everything but it was just things, and we had each other. I hurt my back very seriously and had other health problems and was out of work for a year. Everything starts to go wrong and it can be hard.

Patti: Looking back, what was the most helpful thing for you about being part of IHN at Alpha House?

Anita: The staff made it easier. It was great being able to talk and not feel judged. It can be embarrassing to be there and the staff made me feel comfortable. It made it easier when they said you can do it. You should never tell a person that their goal is unreachable. You can say it’s a good goal, maybe a long range goal, but never tell them they can’t do it. I wanted this apartment and I got it.

Patti: Did you find the Wraparound Program to be helpful?

Anita: Some of it was okay. It helps to be able to write down your goals, to put it in black and white, and it’s good to have a plan. I think they should keep the wraparound. It’s a good program but it only works if you work. Nobody can make you. It’s good if the staff is truthful, the more truthful the better. You can’t just sit back and relax at first, it has to be, okay, you’ve got three months, now let’s get going. Don’t get too comfortable.

Patti: So tell me about your new place.

Anita: I love it. It’s a one bedroom in a clean, safe place. I have cool neighbors, rent is affordable for me with my new job, and I can have pets with no extra charge. My daughter and I are getting a cat from the Humane Society next week. We are pretty much settled. Alan helped us get furniture from Fairy Godparents [a local nonprofit organization] and Alison Paine [a volunteer at IHN] took me to Recycle Ann Arbor. She gave me a microwave and a vacuum--took me to pick things up and everything.

Patti: It’s been a tough time, I know it has, but you’ve really come through it. What helps you stay motivated?

Anita: I give glory to God and give thanks to God for the people who have helped me and my daughter. Everybody needs direction. I decided when I came into the shelter than I was going to leave stronger than I came in, and I have.