How Bed Sponsorship Changed My Life!
Steve came to St. Benedict’s through circumstances that could happen to any of us.
Steve was married, had a daughter, and a home, and worked as a commercial semi-driver for 28 years. Then one day he had a stroke that abruptly changed everything. Unable to work, he filed for disability, however, it took over a year and a half to get. During that time, he lost his home and had to move his family into subsidized housing. In January of this year, Steve thought things were improving when after 29 years of marriage his wife filed for divorce. He had to move out, with no place to go, and wound up at the Cadillac Motel. It was there, alone in his room in the middle of the night that Steve suffered a heart attack. He realized he would not be able to stay at the motel any longer after he’d recovered.
Having seen social media posts and hearing others talk about St. Benedict’s Shelter, he sought us out and in January checked into the facility. This was a total change of life for him, he was “nervous and faced with uncertainty” upon arriving. The staff welcomed him with open arms and began working with him to overcome his adversity. “I have nothing but respect for Dan, Jeff, and other staff. If you don’t have the solutions to your barriers, St. Benedict’s will find them because they are fantastic people with genuine hearts,” says Steve. He began helping around the shelter and eventually took over the house laundry, he says “it gave him a sense of purpose”. Dan (case manager) helped him get on the waiting list for housing and in August he completed a rental application for Lee Manor. The waitlist was long however he never gave up and checked in regularly, which paid off. He moved into his apartment earlier this month!
Steve says, “St Benedict’s assisted me with all the household furnishings he needed”. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am for St. Benedict’s because my world got turned upside down, but now it’s righting itself”.
Steve said “Had someone not sponsored a bed for me, I don’t know where I’d be right now. Instead, I’m now in the perfect setting, I can do what I want when I want and could not be happier.”
Steve hopes to be able to give back and has offered to continue volunteering at St. Benedict’s. Steve says he has his dignity back and has hope for the future!
If you would like to sponsor a bed and help others get a new start like Steve then click here!