Paula is a hardworking single mother and the sole provider for her 15-year-old son. Like many families, she was doing everything she could to provide a stable home and a secure future for her child.
In the spring, Paula was thrilled to begin a new job with a telehealth company. She believed the position would provide the steady income her family needed to cover her household expenses. She started work in April and, at first, everything seemed to be going well.
Then, unexpectedly, her paychecks stopped coming.
Paula continued working and communicated with her employer, hoping the situation would be resolved. After going two months without receiving her wages, she learned that the company was facing legal issues related to suspected fraud. Through no fault of her own, Paula was suddenly without the income she had earned and was at risk of falling behind on her rent.
For a single mother supporting a teenager, the possibility of losing her home was frightening.
That's when Catholic Charities' Hunger, Homeless & Outreach Program stepped in to provide homelessness prevention services.
With emergency rental assistance, Catholic Charities helped Paula catch up on a portion of her past-due rent and provided assistance toward the following month's rent. This timely support helped Paula and her son remain safely in their home and avoid eviction.
Her case manager also helped Paula identify additional resources, including applying for unemployment benefits and pursuing the wages she was owed.
Paula didn't give up. She immediately began searching for another job and soon secured a new position —one that will provide her with an even higher income.
Today, Paula is moving forward with renewed stability and hope. Her story is a powerful reminder that homelessness can happen quickly, even to families who are working hard and doing everything right. An unexpected employment problem or loss of income can put a family at risk of losing its home.
But with timely assistance and compassionate support, a temporary crisis doesn't have to become homelessness.
Catholic Charities' Hunger, Homeless & Outreach Homelessness Prevention Program helps families facing financial emergencies stay housed, regain stability and move forward with hope. For Paula and her son, a helping hand at the right moment made all the difference.
The client's name has been changed to protect her confidentiality.
