Sometimes, the right people come together at the right time to change a life. That’s exactly what happened when Jenell Lazarony and Kevin Kohlbrenner crossed paths. Their dedication to service turned a challenging situation into a powerful success story.
The Beginning of a Partnership
Jenell Lazarony, a care coordinator for six years, has spent her career supporting individuals on their path to stability. Kevin Kohlbrenner, with over five years in social work, is the judicial program coordinator at The Health Partnership. Their collaboration began when Jenell worked at Memorial Regional Health (MRH), and Kevin was launching the judicial program. “We just collaborated a lot on clients, working with partnering agencies,” Kevin recalls.
A Client’s Struggle for Stability
One of their key collaborations was a contingency management program through Mind Springs Health. Designed to support individuals battling methamphetamine addiction, the program offered incentives for sobriety. “They could participate and receive gift cards for clean UAs,” Kevin explains. The program lasted 18 months, offering essential support as participants worked toward a better future.
Kevin received a referral for a man who had completed the program successfully. “He was justice-involved, homeless for a while, and couldn’t get out of the situation he was in,” Kevin shares. “He was living in his vehicle on an empty lot near the train tracks, sober for two years, but still stuck.”
Jenell and Kevin quickly realized that to help him, it would take more than just one intervention—it would require a combination of resources and creative problem-solving.
A Fresh Start
Through a Memorial Regional Health grant, Jenell and Kevin provided immediate assistance for transportation and clothing. Local businesses also stepped up to help. Fessler’s, a local barbershop, donated a makeover for the client.
“The makeover was huge,” Kevin says. “It removed a significant barrier to him getting a job, which led to housing.”
Before the makeover, the client’s self-esteem was low, and his appearance was an obstacle to employment. The transformation boosted his confidence, enabling him to pursue job opportunities.
Jenell adds, “Before, he wasn’t ready to interview. He was just so down on himself.”
Kevin also connected him to A1 Laundry, which offers rentable showers. “For someone like him, being able to get a hot shower makes all the difference in how they feel about themselves,” Kevin says.
With his new appearance and the support from Jenell and Kevin, the client began applying for jobs again. He landed a part-time dishwasher position at a local restaurant, eventually working his way up to a full-time cook, and has now been employed there for two years.
“Gino’s is one of those community employers that’s really recovery-friendly,” Kevin says.
Jenell reflects, “He had the right attitude. He just needed a little help.”
The process wasn’t instantaneous—it involved tackling each barrier step by step. But this success story highlights the power of resilience, support, and a community rallying together to help someone in need.
An Unexpected Thank You
One evening, Kevin and his family went to dinner at the restaurant where the client worked. When it came time to pay the bill, the client surprised them by covering the meal. It was his way of expressing gratitude for all the support he had received.
“It was a beautiful gesture,” Kevin recalls. “I would’ve never expected or asked him to do that, but it truly showed his appreciation for everything we had done together.”
This simple act reflected his transformation—from a man struggling with self-doubt to one who had become an independent, contributing member of the community.
Rooted in Community
This success story serves as a powerful reminder of how community-based care coordination can create lasting change. By pooling resources and offering both emotional and practical support, we can help break the cycles of homelessness, addiction, and poverty. It’s a team effort, and the results can be life-changing.
Kevin sums it up: “It didn’t happen overnight. It was a series of small steps—helping with the car, checking in, having conversations—that made all the difference.”