Those We Serve: April

January 29, 2024

Our mission at BHN is to improve the quality of life for those we serve and we always appreciate hearing from those we have helped! April recently shared feedback about our Therapeutic Mentoring program and how the support provided by our staff, overseen by Program Director Dirk Vernon, has helped her family.

After her mother's passing in February 2022, April became the legal guardian of her siblings who were residing in Pennsylvania. Her brother was part of a mentor program there, and April wished to continue the same level of care in Massachusetts. She also sought assistance for her sister and found it through BHN. David Wilson, Crystal Rivera, and Ariana Nunez worked with them and provided therapeutic mentorship.

“I liked how the therapeutic mentors took time to meet with me about specific concerns that I had," said April. "They asked what activities we enjoyed doing together and tailored the support to our family's needs and interests. They made sure that the goals we set were being addressed and would reassess to make sure we were on track. I didn’t feel like I was pushed into anything or judged by anything.”

We extend our gratitude to April for sharing her story with us, and we would also like to thank David, Crystal, Ariana, Dirk, and all our therapeutic mentors who provide life-changing support.

If you or a loved one need support or would like more information about mentoring programs, call BHN 413-301-WELL (9355) or visit BHN WellBeing locations: 417 Liberty Street, Springfield, MA, or 77 Mill Street, Westfield, MA.

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