Our Featured Story of Hope:
Safe, Heard, and Empowered: Heather's Story
At 13, Heather Gansert was given her first drink. That same year, she was introduced to drugs and was raped at a party. What followed was 34 years of addiction, abuse, and survival. She lost herself in substances, endured daily violence, and nearly died at the hands of an abusive boyfriend.
But that’s not where her story ends.
With the help of Unity House, Heather began to heal, reclaim her life, and reconnect with the one person she cared about most: her 26-year-old son.
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Life in Full: Tony's Story
Tony Amerman has always faced challenges with resilience, never letting disabilities hold him back.
Born in Texas, he and six of his seven siblings entered foster care, determined to stay together. They eventually found a home in Candor, New York, joining a blended family of 14 siblings.
As he grew older, his family recognized his need for extra support, leading him to Unity House in his late teens. There, he gained independence, joined the Special Olympics, found a job, and married Gale Campbell, becoming the first couple in Unity House’s supportive apartment program.
Life was moving forward. Then, a difficult diagnosis came.
Martin's Story: A Brighter Path Forward
When Martin Kasey’s depression spiraled into a series of crises, he lost his job as a nurse’s aide in a psychiatric hospital. He was hospitalized twice, including after a suicide attempt.
After a few months of attending the PROSperity Program (PROS) for mental health rehabilitation, Martin began to "find [his] personality again."
“I came to appreciate the uniqueness of PROS, just like how many different kinds of people were all finding common ground and accepting each other,” Martin said.
Sky's Story: I'm Actually in Charge
Skyler Chehovich is a determined 23-year-old who faces the challenges of blindness and intellectual disabilities. He has transformed his life with the support of Unity House's Self Direction Program, building independence and essential life skills.
With the guidance of direct support professional Dusty Archambo, Sky is not only preparing to move out on his own, but also embracing his journey toward self-sufficiency and personal empowerment.
Tina's Story: I'm Not Giving Up
After an abusive childhood, Tina Clark suffered from depression and thoughts of suicide most of her adult life. Support from Unity House kept her alive.
Unity House's mental health housing and outpatient treatment programs have given Tina the confidence to live with greater independence, she said.
"I'm realizing now that I can do this," Tina said. "I'm not giving up."
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