A smile represents so much more than we realize. It’s confidence, health, hope, connection. For years, Jessica had lost all of these – but through community care, she found them again.
In this edition of Stories from the Circle, meet Jessica – whose journey from isolation to joy shows what becomes possible when someone believes in you.
Jessica R.
Finding Her Smile Again: Jessica’s Story of Transformation
Overwhelmed and alone, Jessica was avoiding the care she desperately needed – community gave her the courage to heal.
Jessica hadn’t smiled freely in years. Battling anxiety, depression, and unmanaged diabetes, the recently divorced mother had stopped going to doctor appointments and taking her medication. But her missing teeth were the biggest barrier to her confidence.
When Jocelyn Williams, a Wider Circle Community Engagement Specialist, reached out during Oral Health Month, the timing couldn’t have been more meaningful. Jessica began joining virtual events – bingo, walks, health discussions – and found connection again. The events “helped with my anxiety,” she said. “It’s like having friends get together.“
After one meeting about dental health, Jessica opened up to Jocelyn about her struggles and said “I need to get my teeth in order.” Jocelyn helped Jessica navigate healthcare for dental care, gently reminding her to keep each appointment. With this steady support, Jessica persevered through extractions and received new dentures.
“I got my teeth!” Jessica excitedly texted Jocelyn, along with a photo of her beaming smile. “I found my smile again.“
“She hasn’t stopped smiling since,” Jocelyn recalls with joy.
Jessica’s confidence and her community support kicked off a whole new chapter for her health. Jessica started keeping doctor’s appointments she’d been avoiding and began taking her medications again. Jessica’s A1C levels returned to normal, bringing her diabetes under control for the first time in years.
“This community was the light that helped guide me through the storm,” Jessica reflects with a smile.
Jessica’s community support extended far beyond healthcare. When she faced a utility shut-off after exhausting local resources, she reached out in desperation. Within hours, Jocelyn had connected her to a Wider Circle partner who paid the bill that same day.
When food insecurity hit, Jocelyn packed a box of food and drove it over to Jessica’s door. “Jocelyn, the connection we made truly saved me,” Jessica said.
Today, Jessica radiates joy as a Wider Circle Ambassador, uplifting others just as she’s transformed her own life. She recently brought her daughter to an event where the community celebrated her achievements and bright future ahead – both of them laughing and smiling the whole time.
“She has so much joy in her. She has a glow now,” Jocelyn observes.
With renewed confidence, Jessica is applying for jobs again, knowing Jocelyn remains in her corner. When she mentioned struggling with Microsoft Excel, Jocelyn showed up with a computer mat with Excel shortcuts to help her during interviews.
“Thank you for being an ear to listen,” Jessica tells Jocelyn. “Just knowing you have someone in your corner makes all the difference.”
Jessica’s journey proves: the right support at the right moment can transform whispered pain into unstoppable joy – one caring action at a time.
Thank you, Jessica, for showing us the power of having someone in your corner. And thank you, Jocelyn, for being that someone.
And thank you to our sponsors for investing in the community care that makes these transformations possible.
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About the author: Jamie Zale
Wider Circle
