“There came a time where my daughter and I were so lost and alone. I prayed for an answer and gave it to God. He answered my prayers with Sarah’s Hope.” - Diane
Diane was raised by her grandmother who fostered her faith in God and taught her how to live life with a purpose. Although she was happy living with her grandmother, she longed for a relationship with her mother and, as she entered her teenage years, decided to move in with her.
Life with her mother was very different and often frightening. Diane had to move constantly, became a teenage parent, and ended up alone with her baby. It was Diane’s faith in God, and the values instilled by her grandmother, that helped her find a job and a small room for herself and her daughter, Dana. She did well on her own until she was laid off from her job. Without employment, Diane and Dana also lost their housing. “I prayed for an answer, and gave it to God” Diane recalled, with the pain of the memory etched on her face.
Diane’s prayers were answered when she found Sarah’s Hope, St. Vincent de Paul’s 24 hour shelter for women and children. Families there receive case management and comprehensive services to help address the causes of their homelessness and regain housing.
“The firsttime I met with my case worker, I was onboard.Everyone here was so positive and kind, and my daughter and I were safe.” Diane smiled. “They believed in me and helped me help myself. I’m getting my life back.”
Diane took parenting and life skills classes at Sarah’s Hope and is enrolled in St. Vincent de Paul’s Learn to Earn employment training program. Diane is nearing completion of her job skills training and will soon be moving into a house at St. Vincent de Paul’s Cottage Avenue Community, our transitional housing program for families, where she can continue her training while stably housed. Diane is now looking forward to regaining employment and building a better future for herself and her daughter.
When asked about the first thing she will do in her new home, Diane replied with a big smile “Close the door andtake a bath,” one of life’s simple pleasures that we so often take for granted until we hear a story like Diane’s.
Erica's Story, Sarah's Hope Client
Stephen's Story, Home Connections client
The Gaskin Family's Story, Cottage Avenue Community clients
Janet's Story, Sarah's Hope client
Veronica's Story, Learn to Earn at St. Ambrose client
