Willie and Mama Reunion story

Author, Helena Batey 5/18/2022

After 30 years of not talking to his mother, Willie was able to reconnect over the phone with the help of Case Solving Volunteer Shelly’s diligent work to find her. 

Case Solving Volunteer Shelly

Willie had requested help to find his mother, Elizabeth. On December 20th, Shelly was asked to take on Willie’s case. 

After working on the case for six days with no response from his mother, Shelly was able to speak with Willie's nephew who had heard about the work Shelly was doing to reconnect Willie with his mom. Finding a loved one does not always mean they are ready to reunite. Willie’s nephew agreed to speak to his grandmother to persuade her to speak on the phone with Willie. On December 28th Shelly received a call from Elizabeth, Willie’s mom, who asked “When can I talk to my son?” Shelly immediately reached out to Willie. When told the news, he was just as eager to speak to his mom.

Shelly facilitated the call and the three shared an honest conversation. Willie admitted he had made some poor choices and done wrong, but was proud that he was able to stay clean and was doing his best to improve. 

“She then asked him why he never came home and he told her that he thought his family would be embarrassed by him and would not want anything to do with him, because he had been a very troubled guy.  "You were wrong…. You should have come home,” [his mother said] - Shelly

The conversation continued and the two made plans for Willie to speak with his sisters the next time they call.  

“When I first initiated our 3 way call, Willie referred to his mother by, "Hey Girl!!".  Then it morphed into Elizabeth, and a short time later into Liz.  By the end of the phone call, he was calling her Mama” - Shelly

This is a story of our unhoused friend’s misperceptions of his worth to his family and the associated, self-imposed alienation that our case solving volunteers work to resolve.  Willie was a lost son, brother, and uncle who despite making positive changes in his life was too ashamed of his past mistakes to reach out. Our case solving program removed the barriers so Willie was able to reestablish a relationship with his family. 

You can help an unhoused neighbor too! Volunteer to facilitate reunions with individuals looking for their loved ones here.

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