Shelly's Story & Video

When Shelly came to Catholic Charities, she was anxious, afraid, and unsure. Like many, Shelly struggles with addiction and had relapsed after nine years sober. The aftershocks of her relapse had catastrophic effects on her personal relationships and finances, leaving her isolated. That’s when Shelly turned to Catholic Charities, where she received housing assistance and regained control of her life. 

“When I relapsed, it was really bad. I decided I was going to live alone, but I could not save up the money,” Shelly said. “When I came to Catholic Charities and applied for housing assistance, I was approved that same day. I left in tears, I had never had that kind of support from people who did not know me.” 

Because of your generous support, Shelly was able to move into an apartment in a safe, clean area. “It only took me three weeks to find a place to live,” she said. ‘To not have to worry about the deposit, being in a safe place, or having to live with somebody that I do not know or trust was huge.”

For Shelly, the most important gift her sobriety has given her was a chance to reconnect with her son. “For me, to be able to say I turned my life around, and to not just say it, but show it, was a stepping stone for fixing that relationship,” Shelly said. 

She is immensely grateful for the support and second chance at a stable life. “It is just really important that I show gratitude for the help I was given,” she said. “The only thing that Catholic Charities wants is for you to be in a better place and to do the right thing.”

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