“I never thought I would be homeless. If you don’t have a place to live, it’s hard to have a job and keep it together,” said Monique, a 39-year-old and mother of two now-adult sons.
Monique never realized how easy it is to become homeless until she experienced it herself. After leaving a bad relationship, she found herself in Las Vegas with nowhere to go. Unfortunately, she discovered that shelters and resources in the area were few and far between.
In July 2024, Monique returned to her hometown of Bullhead City, Ariz., hoping to stay with family. Sadly, her family members were not willing to accept her. Even though she was back in a familiar place with familiar people, she had never felt more alone.
Catholic Charities Provides a Stepping Stone to a Better Life
She slept in her car for a few days before seeking help at the Legacy Foundation Christine Stamper Center for Help & Hope, operated by Catholic Charities. The Center is an emergency shelter for individuals, families, and veterans, as well as a day resource and outreach center.
Catholic Charities welcomed Monique into the shelter and gave her a sense of safety and stability she desperately needed. “They gave me what I needed to get on my feet and get going,” she said.
Resources and Support Encourage Clients to Stay Motivated
For Monique, the shelter's computers were an invaluable resource, in addition to other services like hot meals and laundry. She got up bright and early each morning to work on her resume and apply for jobs. Jackie, one of the employees, happily took the time to help Monique with her resume.
Although the shelter employees were incredibly supportive, Monique learned that there’s nothing more important than helping yourself. “You think someone is going to help you out, but you are the person who is going to help yourself,” she said.
Monique’s hard work finally paid off when she landed a job at the Tropicana Casino as a Food and Beverage Supervisor. Her past management experience and positive attitude made her a great fit.
A Short-Term Stay Leads to Long-Term Stability
Within a month and a half, Monique was able to move into her own place. Catholic Charities paid the deposit and assisted with the first and second months of rent while she got settled. They also provided household items to help her feel at home.
Monique now approaches each day with a sense of purpose and a newfound confidence. In the future, she hopes to get involved with or start a charity as a way of giving back.
Every day, people like Monique come to the Legacy Foundation Christine Stamper Center for Help & Hope seeking help and a better tomorrow. If you’d like to support us in our work, consider donating online or through our Amazon Charity List.
