Donald was a good son, a good dad, and a good soldier, in fact, you’d say
he was an all-round good guy.
His parents, both veterans, had every reason to be proud of their son. He had followed in their footsteps, serving in the Army from 2006 to 2014. Now he was a full-time student, living at home and caring for them as they aged.
When his parents required more medical care than Donald could provide, they moved into a VA nursing facility. Donald, still attending college full-time, could not find a job and was unable to pay the rent on his parents’ home.
Homeless, and sleeping in the woods, unable to see his two beautiful daughters, Donald struggled to finish his education online. Eight years of serving his country and it was homelessness that brought him to his knees. After six months, he knew there was just no way to catch up, let alone get ahead. Then Donald heard about St. Vincent de Paul CARES.
Last November, he reached out for help and entered the Rapid Rehousing Program. With a safe place to sleep, case management, and help from a Housing Specialist, Donald was able to map out a plan forward. He found a job that accommodated his class schedule and moved into a two-bedroom apartment on January 1 of this year and was reunited with his daughters.
Your gift will help more people like Donald get back on their feet and focus on their future.
You are a blessing to everyone who comes to SVdP CARES for assistance. In fact, because of your help, SVdP CARES housing programs provide assistance to an average of 1,600 individuals every year.
It isn’t easy setting up home when you’ve been sleeping in the woods for six months. Donald was able to get all the essentials—furniture, dishes, towels, and food—through SVdP CARES.
“I’m not one to ask for help, but I had no one else to turn to,” Donald admits. “SVdP CARES took care of everything. They really came through for me.” You came through for Donald by supporting SVdP CARES. We could not house a single homeless neighbor without help from friends like you.
Like everyone we serve, Donald found that housing is just the first step toward a stable, successful life. Next month, he will graduate from college with a degree in mechanical engineering. He has been invited to apply for positions at NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy.
“SVdP CARES gave me the space I needed to put my life back together,” Donald says gratefully. “If I need them, I know they’re always there. They have never let me down.”
names and photos may be changed to protect privacy