Real Life Stories

YouthBuild Graduate Joins Carpenters Local 7

Dmitriy Riebl was born in Russia in 1989. Shortly after his birth, he was placed in an orphanage where he spent the next 11½ years. Living with more than 100 children ranging from ages 4 to 16, battling brutal winters, and being forced to work at a local market by age eight, Dmitriy had anything but an easy childhood.

In 2001, Dmitriy was adopted by an American family that had two biological sons. Expecting a new and better life, he was faced with further disappointment. Dmitriy experienced mistreatment and neglect and was continually made to feel like an outcast. After an argument that turned physical with his father in 2004, Dmitriy was removed from the home by the Nassau County Department of Social Services. He has been in the foster care system ever since.

In 2007, Dmitriy learned about United Way’s YouthBuild Long Island initiative from a fax that was sent to his group home residence by the Town of Islip. Recalling his childhood interest in construction from when a school was being built next door to the orphanage, Dmitriy decided YouthBuild was an excellent opportunity to change his life.

“Life is too short to let perfect opportunities go by,” said Dmitriy. “The longer you wait for change to come, the more you suffer.” Since his enrollment in the accredited pre-apprenticeship program, Dmitriy has learned about the development of “green”, environmentally-friendly and energy efficient homes, construction and carpentry skills, project management and building materials. He earned his GED and is now employed by Carpenters Local 7.

“If I had the money myself, I would open a YouthBuild program in every town, in every state,” said Dmitriy. “You have to be really determined and work hard with every opportunity that comes your way. My definition of family is not just someone you are born to, it is the people who give you love and support. They back you up with any decision you make. My friends are my family. In the end, I am thankful to be able to say ‘I had the strength and support to be where I am today.’ It is just an incredible feeling.” Dmitriy pictured with YouthBuild Student Jessica Jones


Mother & Daughter Kept Warm through Project Warmth

Project Warmth grant recipient Stephanie Rodriguez worked for New York City Housing Authority for 13 years helping many unfortunate people find homes It was a job she loved.

Five years ago her daughter, Destiny, was born with Downs syndrome. When Destiny was only 11 months old, she was also diagnosed with diabetes type I. After separating from her husband, Rodriguez had no income and needed work to support herself and her daughter. As a single parent, she could only work part time, finding it difficult to get the appropriate care for her daughter, who required insulin injections throughout the day.

Rodriguez began working for Town of Islip Housing and while helping one of her clients, she became aware of United Way of Long Island’s Project Warmth program and she learned that she was eligible for a grant herself.

Faced with the choice of heating her home or feeding her child, Rodriguez said: “United Way changed my life. I was ecstatic when I got help. With the help from Project Warmth, I was able to heat my home and provide food for my child. Project Warmth saved my life and helped me to get back on track and back on my feet.”


Senior Access to Home Recipient Stays in Her Home

Joanne Mendola from Holbrook, NY was an able bodied woman, who owned her own home, until she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1994. Progressively, over time, she lost movement control of her arms and legs, leaving her paralyzed from the neck down and confined to a wheelchair.

After seeking assistance from myriad organizations to no avail, Joanne wrote three letters to state officials asking for help. She received a call recommending she contact the United Way of Long Island in February 2008. Joanne became the first recipient in Suffolk County to have her home retrofitted by United Way’s “Senior Access to Home” program.

Modifications to her home include a deck allowing her to sit outside, a ramp granting her easier access in and out of her home, tiled floors and a state of the art handicapped-accessible bathroom. United Way also replaced a window in her bedroom that was previously nonfunctioning. By United Way’s efforts and through the help of an aide, Joanne Mendola’s life has been given back to her.

Joanne remarked, “You have no idea what this means to someone like me, I am able to plant flowers outside again.”


A Promising Future through Learning

Delilah Correa was abandoned by her parents as a little girl along with her five brothers and sisters. Her grandmother was given custody of them, but unfortunately, she suffered many physical and emotional problems, raising the children in an abusive and dysfunctional home. At only seven years of age, Delilah was left to fend for herself. Over the following years, Delilah was expected to take on the role of an adult with tremendous responsibility. Overwhelmed and unhappy, she left home at 14 and began living on the streets.

At just 17, Delilah began a relationship with a young man and became pregnant. Searching to fill a void in her life, she chose to keep her child, hoping desperately for someone to love. Soon after her first baby girl, Amber, was born, she began living in a shelter.

Delilah continued to live without the provisions of guidance or education and continued to suffer severe financial hardship. By 21, she had three small children. It was at this point in her life that she met Sarah Benjamin of the Parent-Child Home Program.

“This Parent-Child Home Program inspired me and my children,” said Delilah, now 26 with her children Amber, 8, Brooklyn, 6, and Maria, 4. “I was angry about the turn my life had taken, and I didn’t know how to communicate with my children. The program has taught me how to be a better mother, how to communicate with my children, to teach them, to listen to them and to learn about them. I have learned how to feel when they feel. It is amazing to learn about them and see how smart they are. The bond I have with my children is now stronger and healthier.

“Sarah Benjamin, who comes to visit us, has been more than support, she has been my friend. She has taught me to believe in myself and in my children. I know that we will have a strong future; I can see the silver lining. We are so thankful.”