“St. Patrick Center means ‘life renewed’… the agency gave me the opportunity to start my life over.”

Things went from bad to worse for Charlene… after losing her job, her home and her vehicle, she found herself homeless. Then, a new relationship turned into domestic violence so the young mother packed one suitcase of baby clothes and moved into a women’s safe house. "I walked away from everything and it was challenging,” Charlene recalls. “But I always believe you need to walk through the doors that are opened to you, so I came to St. Patrick Center after my counselor told me about the agency.”

Charlene enrolled in St. Patrick Center’s Homeless Employment Program (HEP) and was assisted with a move into transitional housing. She later joined the Job Experience Training program (JET) and her life really started to begin again. “My case managers gave me the extra push I needed and today my life is better.”

Charlene also found a church she likes and has renewed her relationship with the Lord, whom she calls her “peacemaker." Charlene recently completed her JET internship and graduated from the program. She is waiting to hear if the company that provided her internship will hire her for a permanent position. After she secures a permanent job, her goal is permanent housing. “I know that what St. Patrick Center gave me is not possible without many generous donors, so to them I say you are a blessing to me and my child!”

1. Timothy Woods

   February 11, 2011 at 4:34 pm

   Thank God for the great things/places of this world! Congrads to Charlene, hope that all is going well for heer and her family!