Meet the Outsiders

Posted: Feb 8, 2010 06:14 PM CST
Updated: Feb 8, 2010 06:16 PM CST

When it comes to Nebraska's good life, some find themselves on the outside looking in.

That includes women like Shelli Ballou. Drugs have been a part of her life since she was ten. At first it was marijuana, later meth. Now, she takes prescription drugs to deal with the aftermath.

This newly sober woman tries to find a new life, with help from Hope Harbor, a transitional center itself going through changes with a newly renovated shelter. in Grand Island.

"It's been a blessing to have people care for us. They're part of our families, I look at them as family," she said.

That "family" includes Sadie Nielsen, Shelli's case manager.

"We're working on their goals, life goals, the ultimate goal is self-sufficiency," Nielsen explained.

That's the same goal Anita Pinon has with her clients. As head of the Grand Island Multicultural Coalition, she helps immigrants assimilate into the community.

She said, "A lot of individuals that walk in do want to belong, do want to integrate in the Grand
Island community."

That includes those like "Miguel", whose name has been changed to protect his identity.

"I've been in Grand Island the last 17 years," the undocumented worker said.
He does construction, with dreams of more.
"We'd like someday to buy houses because we've been renting here, paying rent," he said.
Miguel explained he wants to get legal papers. "We would like to live free in this country."

Shelli also hopes to live free, breaking the bonds of addiction that left her homeless, with nowhere else to turn.
"I just told myself I would never come here, this was the last resort," she said.
Now, she calls it a place of recovery.

Reporter's Notes by Steve White:

In part two on Tuesday night, we find out how Shelli's drug abuse left her literally on the
streets.

Then Wednesday, meet an undocumented immigrant brought to Nebraska as a child, now a grown woman living in fear because of her parents' decision.

http://www.nebraska.tv/Global/story.asp?S=11953862