Deb’s Journey at Dorothy Day Place
Deb’s Story: Building a Home at Dorothy Day Place
Deb is an independent single mother, veteran, and Twin Cities native. Deb and her dog Minnie live together in an apartment at Dorothy Day Residence, a Catholic Charities Twin Cities supportive housing program in St. Paul. The two of them have lived at Dorothy Day since 2019 when the building was renovated.
Deb’s journey has been marked by incredible strength in the face of overwhelming adversity. Her life turned upside down about 10 years ago when the person she was living with withheld rent payments leading to an eviction and homelessness. Deb has kept her struggles hidden, working seasonal jobs and moving around between shelters.
“I didn’t know about the resources that were available for the five years that I was homeless,” Deb explained. By 2019, she had reached a breaking point and decided to leave the unhealthy relationship with her partner at the time and move away from him. This ultimately left her with nowhere to go. So, Deb found her way to Catholic Charities Higher Ground Shelter in St. Paul.
Catholic Charities Dorothy Day Place
Higher Ground had opened the year prior as part of Catholic Charities Dorothy Day Place – an integrated two-building campus designed to prevent and end homelessness by focusing on dignified shelter, permanent homes, and dedicated services. Deb was placed in an apartment across the street in Dorothy Day Residence, one of two housing programs on campus.
At Dorothy Day Place, Deb found not only shelter and housing, but a community and resources. She felt hesitant when she first arrived at the overnight shelter in December 2019, but the warmth of those around her changed her perspective. “Everybody just sort of started coming out of their shells,” Deb recalls. “There are people that I’ve met that I never would have otherwise . . . and I wouldn’t change that ever.” The relationships Deb formed, and the support she received, empowered her to imagine new possibilities.
“There are people that I’ve met that I never would have otherwise . . . and I wouldn’t change that ever.”
Pursuing New Goals
Resources at Dorothy Day have made a difference for Deb while living there. The Opportunity Center below her apartment offers everything from meals to employment resources. Community partnerships with organizations including the Animal Humane Society and Second Harvest Heartland have helped Deb and other residents with things like pet care and groceries – free of charge.
Today, Deb is pursuing new goals. She is back in school, working toward a degree in data analytics with a goal of becoming a data scientist. But one dream is on Deb’s mind: moving to California with Minnie to be with close friends. But for now, her community at Dorothy Day provides her with a sense of purpose and belonging.
