Who We Serve
The women we serve come from a diverse range of life experiences, yet each one has a unique story and healthcare journey. Read on for more insight into the lives of the women at the heart of the HOW community.
Grace’s Story
Suddenly, out of nowhere, I found a nodule on my breast. My primary doctor immediately got me an appointment in Hyannis with a breast surgeon. I was in shock and had to figure out transportation for radiation treatments from Truro to Hyannis and back nearly every day for 4 weeks.
HOW connected me with the regional transit program and paid for the rides from my house to the hospital and back. Then, they gave me a stipend and I used it for alternative treatment costs. This all got me through a very difficult time.
HOW was there for me when I really needed it and I still need it. Kindness and support with a wonderful community aspect is what HOW offers.
Leah’s Story
Meet Leah, a single mother, Provincetown resident, and preschool teacher in Wellfleet who gets support from us to cope with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Leah discovered HOW when she drove by our Provincetown office on Conwell Street after moving into the neighborhood. She then met with HOW Client Services Manager Ella. “I didn’t have any anxiety about reaching out. I felt welcomed — no judgment, just curiosity and empathy,” Leah said.
Leah uses her HOW stipend for yoga classes. “I do some yoga at home, but it makes a difference to be able to have a good yoga teacher and to go to a studio to practice — my body really responds,” she said.
Raising her children, Milo and Nora, on her own means that Leah’s budget “… allows for only a few extras, so HOW’s stipend program helps me manage my MS by staying on track with my Three Trinities: Exercise, Nutrition, and Sleep.”
Rossi’s Story
Rossi is a Provincetown resident who came to HOW in 2019 after recuperating from treatment for breast cancer and reconstructive surgery. We’ve provided her with a monthly stipend to help with expenses associated with living with her chronic health condition. She’s also relied on our personal products and food pantry. This year, we’ve driven Rossi to her physical therapy appointments in Orleans and provided one-on-one support as she grieves the loss of her mother, who died in May. Last month, Rossi shared with me how grateful she is to HOW:
“Without the rides from HOW, I would have to pay $65 for a taxi ride to Orleans or take the bus, which would mean that I would be riding 2-3 hours to go to my 45-minute appointment …
Thanks to HOW, I feel less alone in my recovery from breast cancer … And now, as I grieve my mother’s death, I know the HOW community is there to support me.”
Janine’s Story
Janine, an artist from Provincetown, gets support from HOW to help her cope with Parkinson’s Disease (PD). Janine first came to HOW in 2017 to get help filing for disability benefits when she could no longer keep working full-time.
Two years later, as her PD progressed, Janine returned because “…it was getting hard to do even odd jobs, and I couldn’t live off of social security benefits.” Working with the Provincetown Housing Authority again and Janine’s landlord, HOW was able to secure a voucher that now covers most of her rent.
More recently, our Client Services manager met in person with Janine, her therapist, and a friend, while her father and another friend joined by Zoom. While reviewing her daily needs, Janine said she wanted to start acupuncture treatments, which a monthly stipend from HOW is now covering. At the end of the meeting, Janine stopped by HOW’s pantry for a few food and personal care items — what she described as “a bag of goodies.”
“There’s a little bit of shame around this. It’s hard to ask for the help, but HOW makes it easy.” Janine continued: “It moved me that my friends were so concerned. For my father, it’s about knowing I’m being taken care of or taking care of myself. He worries. It doesn’t matter that I’m 60 and he’s 88.”
Briea’s Story
Briea G. a HOW client since 2020 who lives in Eastham with multiple health conditions. In addition to financial assistance, and transportation support, Briea participates in a monthly food delivery program in partnership with The Family Pantry of Cape Cod.
“You guys have been so helpful in different ways…when you live on limited income, the benefits from HOW have been so helpful to me, especially the food delivery once a month, that is huge for me.”
When we received a new bike donation Briea won the lottery for this alternative form of transportation. She lives near the bike trail in Eastham and was excited to have a way to get out and ride.