Jessica’s Family Finds Support in Shelter
Jessica’s Story
When you meet Jessica, her strength and love for her children shine through. She is a single mother who left a bad relationship for the safety of her children — even though it meant starting over with nothing.
Finding Support at Catholic Charities
For nearly a year, Jessica and her children experienced homelessness. They moved from shelter to shelter, often unsure how long they could stay or what they would do next. “One of the hardest times was when I left one shelter because my time was up,” she recalled. “I was outside for 10 days.”
Jessica turned to Catholic Charities for help. She found safety and stability at the Family Service Center — a shelter for 21 families in Ramsey County operated by Catholic Charities. There, she was welcomed with compassion. “Things started turning around when we got to Catholic Charities,” Jessica said.
More Than a Shelter
The Family Service Center provided more than shelter for Jessica’s family. She could finally take a deep breath. Her family had personal space in a clean, safe environment. They didn’t have to worry about where their next meal would come from.
“They give you your own room, your own bathroom, and it’s hard to find that in a lot of places,” she explained. “The food is amazing . . . the tutoring that they have here for the children to help mothers and families . . . the support here is awesome.”
Jessica emphasized that without Catholic Charities, she might still be on the streets. After struggling for a year, she knows how hard it is to find resources. If not for Catholic Charities, “where would the support come from?” she asked.
Planning a Brighter Future
Now, Jessica has a community she can lean on and the support her family needs to start over. She’s rebuilding her life — going to therapy and continuing to nurture her children. Jessica is working with Catholic Charities staff to move forward. Her children are back in school, surrounded by care and structure.
“Because of Catholic Charities, I have housing lined up,” she said. “Things are pending… but a couple of programs have come through for me.”
Since arriving at the Family Service Center, Jessica has been healing, growing, and planning a brighter future for her family.
