#MondayMorningMercy is our series highlighting some of the best stories that truly explain the meaning of Feed. Clothe. House. Heal. This week we share how we returned a family home through our Aid to Stranded Travelers program.
Gregory and Delaha were so excited to move to Phoenix with their 3-year-old son Marcus. They lived in a rough neighborhood in Toledo, Ohio and had been hoping for years to move to a better place. Gregory was the maintenance manager of their apartment complex and struggled to find another job that would pay enough for them to move out.
“I wanted a better environment for my family,” said Gregory. “I wanted to change our lives.”
That’s why they jumped on the opportunity to move to Phoenix when Gregory’s brother offered him a job at the construction company where he managed a team of workers. While space was tight, Gregory’s brother also let them stay with him until they would be ready for a place of their own.
It all seemed like a good plan. However, a few weeks after Gregory moved his family out to Phoenix, his brother was unexpectedly laid off from his job. “I was devastated,” said Delaha. “I cried every night.” Without any prospects for other jobs, Gregory called his former employer in Toledo and was offered his old job back. However, they used their last savings to move to Phoenix and had no way to get back. They came to St. Vincent de Paul and were approved for travel assistance the same day.
Vincentian volunteers Joe Power and Jim McLaughlin meet with families in need, listen to their situations and figure out the best way to help. The program is run solely by a group of dedicated volunteers.
“We had no way to get home and nowhere else to go. We would’ve become homeless without St. Vincent de Paul,” Gregory said. Using gift cards donated by U.S. Airways, Joe and Jim helped Gregory and his family make travel arrangements to get home to Toledo. “St. Vincent de Paul saved our lives,” said Gregory. “Our family couldn’t help us. St. Vincent de Paul was our family when we had nobody left. I hope that one day I’ll have the chance to give back and help other people like us.”
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Stories like this don’t happen without the support of people like you. You really do have the power to Feed. Clothe. House. Heal. our neighbors in need. Contribute to the cause by donating, volunteering, or learning more.
