Eddie was in trouble. He was being kicked out of his home. . . and he had nowhere to go. Eddie’s wife, Julia, had Multiple Sclerosis, and taking care of her had become a full-time job. He took small jobs when he could, and for years, the childhood sweethearts scraped by.
But now, their landlord wasn’t renewing their lease. Eddie managed to get Julia into a state-run healthcare facility. But he couldn’t find an affordable place to stay himself.
Each day, Eddie spent every waking hour by his wife’s side. At night, he had no choice but to sleep on the streets.
Sadly, thousands of people in Florida face situations like Eddie’s. As inflation has driven up the cost of living, many of our neighbors can’t afford rent or utilities.
SVdP CARES is working harder than ever before to quickly help our neighbors find safe, dignified, and affordable housing. But we need your help. As we celebrate Easter and a season of new beginnings, will you help people like Eddie find a safe home and new beginning?
Your support helps to house those experiencing homelessness within 30 days. You can connect folks like Eddie with the support and resources they need to live safe, stable lives. This kind of support was the lifeline that Eddie needed. In fact, when he finally found SVdP CARES, Eddie had an Easter experience of his own.
One day, while at our shelter, Eddie collapsed suddenly. His heart had stopped beating. An SVdP CARES worker found Eddie and sprang into action, giving him CPR. By the time the paramedics arrived, Eddie’s pulse had started again. He survived.
After recovering, Eddie worked with an SVdP CARES case manager to find a permanent home within a month. SVdP CARES supported him every step of the way, even working with him to get furniture.
Today, Eddie and his wife Julia are thriving in their new home, not far from their daughter! “The day I picked up my wife and brought her to our home was the best day of my life,” he said.
Eddie and Julia were childhood sweethearts, together since the age of 12. They have an adult daughter and lived successful lives in construction and nursing until their world was shattered with Julia’s Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis at age 28. Since then, the family has struggled emotionally & financially until Eddie found SVdP CARES…
Your support of SVdP CARES gave Eddie a new life—both figuratively and literally! He says:
When I got to SVdP CARES, it changed everything! I had a safe place to sleep and get off the streets. The care, love, and support they gave me were just amazing. For the rest of my life, I will be grateful. I will never forget the help and the love they gave me.
Easter is a Time for New Beginnings
Will you give neighbors experiencing homelessness hope and a fresh start? This Easter, many people need hope and renewal in their lives.
Your gift to SVdP CARES will provide compassionate care to families
like Eddie’s when they are at their lowest point. God bless you for
helping make homelessness rare, brief, and one-time.