By Sheila Buckmaster
Just as Niki settles down for the interview that will provide fodder for the profile now on your screen, a flash of a child — an Energizer Bunny in a royal blue jacket — darts in and out of the TIS conference room. Four-year-old Zane, whose energy is partly fueled by his autism, is a wonder to watch as he follows his curiosity, picking things up along the way.
“Valentine, put down that box,” says Niki.
Valentine?
“That’s what I call him when I mean business,” says Niki. (His aunts and uncles call him Ziggy.) When Mom issues her directive, the youngster listens for a second, puts down the box, and then is off again, flying through the TIS space until he settles on the next object of interest.
Navigating life with a bundle-of-energy boy — who no longer takes naps! — is a tricky proposition that involves patience, perseverance, planning, and sincere, deeply felt love. Niki possesses all of the above in great quantity.
Just when Zane was hitting toddlerhood, the two of them left Dallas for Easton, where they have family. They left Zane’s father behind. It was his lack of maturity, Niki explains, that convinced her he couldn’t be relied upon to help raise the young child. In leaving, Niki’s goal was to create a new chapter in her life, which would begin with a stay with relatives in Easton. She and Zane were met with open arms.
But when the time came for Niki to move on — she felt that everyone needed more private space — she didn’t want to overstay her welcome. The last thing she wanted was to become a burden. Her decision to leave led her to enlist the help of the local Neighborhood Service Center, a nonprofit that provides services and assistance to low-income families and elderly residents in Talbot County. Bingo! It was here that Niki learned about Talbot Interfaith Shelter — and that they had an opening for a family.
Niki envisioned a large, nondescript room with maybe eight cots and one bathroom. She would soon find out that her meager imaginings were completely wrong.
In her interview with the TIS Executive Director, Julie Lowe, and former Director of Operation, Fran Doran, who would be her case manager, she was asked about her goals and what she would need to accomplish them. A background check was part of the process. Three days later, Niki and Zane moved into a TIS private room with its own bathroom.
“We had our own space, and that was great. Really great,” she continues. “We would be safe.”
At the top of her goal list was becoming self-sufficient. To this end, she landed a job at Capriotti’s, a sub sandwich shop in Easton. After a short stint, she was promoted to Assistant Manager. The job is part time to accommodate caring for Zane, who spent a good part of the day in child care funded by TIS, which had received a grant to provide this critical service to mothers in its care. Still, there were late afternoons and evenings when Zane needed his mama.
TIS’ requirements for Niki included taking a mandatory parenting class and another class focused on gaining life skills, with pointers on “how to move ahead instead of just staying in survival mode,” Niki says. Also required: taking on household chores. “I was happy cleaning the kitchen — a task that was mine growing up,” Niki offers.
Zane is now in school, where teachers adeptly handle his special needs as an energetic, smart, curious, and adventurous child on the autism spectrum.
A lovely perk for TIS guests comes around during the December holiday season. This is when an outside family “adopts” a TIS resident (and children) to make their holidays merry and bright. Those in TIS’ care are asked what they would like to receive as holiday gifts. Zane named several toys. He ended up with many more than he had requested.
Niki bravely asked for a laptop, for which she had an exciting goal in mind. “I was very lucky,” she says. Her plan was to earn a pharmacy tech certification online. But this goal was derailed because local pharmacies couldn’t give her hours that would allow time to care for Zane. So Niki changed gears and started studying Sterile Processing, an online six-month course given by Penn Foster Career School. With this certification, she will prepare instruments needed for surgery and other medical procedures. Jobs in this field, Niki reports, offer time flexibility, “a must for me,” she says.
Niki and Zane are on the road to success. They’ve left the shelter and moved into TIS-funded transitional housing. They now have a place all their own, where mother and son are thriving.
As this story proves, TIS covers a wealth of bases for people in need. That means a world of blessings for those lucky enough to find their way there. Donors generously help fund experiences and opportunities for focused individuals who need support to get their lives together. How heartening it is to know that good, dedicated, no-nonsense loving care can go a long way toward changing lives.
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