A Mother with Nowhere to Go

Yeni and her daughter, Viviana, are survivors. Yeni was working as a maid, barely able to make ends meet on her meager income, when she became pregnant.  She spent the next nine months struggling to feed herself and care for her unborn child.  On the day her daughter was born, Yeni was alone at a friend’s apartment when the labor pains started. She called 9-1-1, and with the assistance of a fireman, gave birth to her daughter on the floor.

Viviana’s father deserted his family, leaving Yeni without enough income to cover the rent, food, diapers, and innumerable expenses that come with a new baby. With no money, no food and no family to fall back on, Yeni and Vivian became homeless.

Desperate and searching for help, Yeni found her way to Catholic Charities.  At our Thorpe Family Residence, a Bronx shelter serving single mothers and their children, Yeni found a place to call home. She found healthy meals and warm clothes.  She also found much-needed counseling and support.

Yeni was able to return to school and trained to become a home health aide. With a new job and a future, Yeni is now able to earn enough money to rent an apartment and live independently.

“I keep moving forward,” says Yeni, “and I thank God every day for Catholic Charities.”

Yeni’s story is just one of thousands that Catholic Charities helps write every year. We annually give more than 3,000 families throughout the Archdiocese the help they need to stay in their homes. We also provide transitional housing for 2,000 people every year and assist 2,500 families in securing affordable permanent housing.

With temperatures dropping, an economy in trouble, and demand for social services soaring, Catholic Charities and the people we support need you more than ever. Please give generously today!
 

Archive

• 2010
  • January
• 2009
• 2008
• 2007