Leonard is an Army veteran. He made it through two deployments in Iraq. But when he retired and set out with his family on a cross-country trip to take a job in Florida, he faced a very different kind of battle.
Unexpected expenses wiped out Leonard’s rental deposit. So when the family arrived in Florida, they had no money and nowhere to go.
Leonard contacted the VA for help. The VA referred him to St. Vincent de Paul CARES. In just a week, Leonard’s big family was housed. And not some temporary housing—it was a place they could call home.
Fast-forward four years. His landlord needed the home and gave Leonard ten days to vacate the property and find a new home to rent. During the pandemic. With eight children ranging in age from three to sixteen. Despite Leonard’s good credit, nobody wanted to rent to such a large family.
There were times when I wanted to give up. I felt like I was failing my family.
Many families in our community are waiting for the blessing of safe, stable housing this Thanksgiving. Some are large, some are small … with your support, we can help them all.
Our “Housing First” policy goal is to settle families into homes within 45 days and provide what they need—rent assistance, food, clothing—until they’re back on their feet. (Usually in the first few months.) Caring case managers connect them to resources for counseling on financial, employment, and personal matters.
So many of our neighbors are living paycheck to paycheck these days. They’re just one medical emergency or one rent increase away from homelessness. Your support for SVdP CARES ensures that, like Leonard, they will get the hand-up they need during a tough time.
Your gift today will help SVdP CARES end homelessness by making it rare, brief, and one-time . . . or in Leonard’s case, two times!
“SVdP CARES never gave up on us. They stuck with us to keep a roof over our heads until we could find a home,” Leonard says.
You see, SVdP CARES friends came through! Leonard’s family never spent a single night on the streets and today they are in a five-bedroom home on a quiet cul-de-sac! “It’s such a blessing,” Leonard says gratefully.
With the holidays approaching, it’s even more important to save more people from living on the streets, to see them settled, and give them something to be thankful for.
If anyone is experiencing homelessness, there are people out there who want to help. Things will get better. You have to keep the faith and hold on
Leonard
Give Families Something to be Thankful for
this Thanksgiving
Leonard is right. There are people out there who want to help . . . will you be one of them? Donors gave this veteran and his family hope when it was in short supply. Please reach out to more people in need today, so they can get housed—and stay housed.