Jeanine

Senior Community Resources Guide
Knoxville, TN

Jeanine was raised by her grandparents in the 1970s- something that was not common at the time and made her feel different than her peers. She struggled emotionally, but did not fully understand the ailments she was experiencing. Jeanine self-medicated through her adolescence and teenage years. After high school, she was diagnosed with depression, and later diagnosed with bipolar disorder and ADD at age 40. 

Jeanine was married for 15 years, and went through a difficult 4-year divorce, which ended in her being homeless. During the two years she spent living in her car and in the woods, Jeanine escaped by self-medicating with alcohol. The alcohol exacerbated her mental health ailments; she was arrested three times and spent time incarcerated. 

When threatened with losing custody of her two children due to her homelessness, Jeanine felt motivated to make a change. She began working full-time, moved into an apartment, and re-enrolled in college for social work. Her alcohol consumption waned as she took on more responsibilities, and she wanted to do well in school.

Megan, a Community Resources Guide  in Knoxville, reached out to Jeanine to let her know about a job that would be a great fit for her. Megan and Jeanine had worked together in the past helping pregnant teens, and had crossed paths when they both worked in outreach to the unhoused community in the city.

Jeanine’s experiences give her the ability to talk to people who have faced all types of adversity in their lives, including those who can use the support of firsthand. The most rewarding aspect of her work at firsthand is helping people with things that they don’t even necessarily know that they need or could use. 

Jeanine knows that everybody needs help at some point, and that a support system is crucial to living a better, more sustainable and healthier way of life. Her advice to others who are struggling is not to be afraid to ask for help, or to accept help. Though it can be difficult, it can spare you and your loved ones a lot of pain and suffering.