Lived Experiences Inspire a Joy in Giving Back

By Katelyn Taubman, Case Manager and Substance Use Disorder Counselor, Illumination Foundation

I’m now in my 10th year of sobriety, working as a Case Manager and Substance Use Disorder Counselor for Illumination Foundation. I’m so happy to be giving back and advocating for people who want a second chance to make something of themselves, to help them take advantage of opportunities, and to get their life back on track, just as someone once gave me that chance.

Working at Illumination Foundation has never been a more rewarding experience for me. Coming from personal lived experience, it has transformed my ability to reach clients at the depth of their despair and guide and support them in reaching the highest potential in their lives. Having lived experience helps me develop rapport and trust with my clients because they know that I understand where they are coming from—I’ve walked in their shoes and I’ve lived their challenges.

Over the last two years, the clients have taught me more about human compassion and perseverance than I have ever experienced. Saying that Illumination Foundation is disrupting the cycle of homelessness is an understatement in my opinion. We are not only transforming the lives of others, but also impacting the staff that work to build that foundation by allowing us to see the impact we are making in others; this in turn just inspires our organization to keep fighting and advocating for what we believe in.

Watching the light turn on inside someone who has only lived in darkness for many years is absolutely priceless. For me personally, this is not a job but a commitment and responsibility to offer everything I have to humanity. I am honored to watch the ones who were “never going to make it" rise up from the ashes of the fires they have walked through. I do not see myself anywhere else but with Illumination Foundation. I not only believe in the mission, but I live it every day, and I will do everything I can to continue impacting those around me by sharing my story and sharing the stories of the clients I serve.