Success. How do you measure it? Some people think of success as having the fanciest home or having oodles of money. Others might think it’s based on your education level or career advancments. Webster's dictionary defines success as “a favorable or desired outcome.” Most people forget success usually comes after trials and tribulations. Real success is measured by having a setback, but continuing to push forward anyway.

Family Engagement Specialist Sarah Crawford walks with people who are struggling and need help. She and other CHS Community Based Services employees provide resources and options for people when they need help the most.

Sarah once described her job as bittersweet. She said as a Family Engagement Services (FES) Specialist you create relationships with your clients but, ultimately, you want them to not come back because it means they are doing well and succeeding.

It’s a special moment when clients who no longer need services reach out to share an update. Sarah recently received one of those updates and witnessed a major accomplishment from a former client, Tifanie.

Tifanie is a mom of one of the first families Sarah worked with as an FES Specialist. It’s been about a year since Tifanie and her family have worked with Sarah; but she continues to keep in contact and send Sarah updates.

Despite everything that is stacked against Tifanie—challenging behaviors from her children, dyslexia, and her own mental health issues—she set a goal for herself to go to cosmetology school to become a beautician.

When Voc Rehab didn’t provide the assistance she thought it would, she remained resilient and kept pushing forward. Tifanie didn’t let dyslexia or anything else stand in the way of her dream. On September 20, Sarah attended Tifanie’s final clock-out from Paul Mitchell Academy.

These are the moments that remind us why we do what we do.