“Catholic Charities accepted me for who I am and why I was there.”
Mike moved in with his mother to support and care for her as her health began to decline. He worked two jobs to ensure they had income and were comfortable, but then Mike suffered medical issues leaving him unable to work. Health care providers felt his mother needed more care than Mike could provide and assisted her into a nursing home. Mike could no longer afford to keep the house, so he moved into his car. After two weeks, his legs were so swollen that doctors told him he needed to be able to stretch out and lay down. He could no longer live in his car.
Mike moved to a shelter, recovered, and found a job he could manage with his health issues. He never imagined ending up in a shelter but made the best of the situation. He began eating at the Marian House Kitchen for the hot meal and began to save for an apartment.
After a year of COVID restrictions, Mike was able to visit his mother before she passed. Devastated, he was determined to get his life back. He found a rental he could afford if he could get help with food and other necessities. He signed up for Senior Food Boxes – delivered by Catholic Charities – to supplement his groceries and help him stay on budget. As the Senior Food Box program began to phase out, he transitioned to the Marian House Marketplace where he can shop, at no cost, for about 10 days worth of groceries each month. He also takes advantage of the daily hot meal at the Marian House Kitchen when he can.
Mike is now living in stability and can be seen picking up others from the shelter and taking them where they need to go. Mike looks for the positive in life and is supporting others in finding the stability and happiness he now has back in his life.
At Catholic Charities, we respect everyone who comes to us for help. Many are working toward a fresh start in life. So while their stories are true, client names and images may have changed to protect their privacy.
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