MENU Safely Home for the Holidays! December 3, 2019 by Lou Ricardo in Affordable Housing, Help Out, Homeless Residence, Shelters of Hope “We’ve lived in Florida since February 2019. I fled my home in Georgia due to a domestic violence situation.” She drove away with her two boys, 17-year old, William and 16-year old, Nicholas. “We ended up in Florida…were living in our car in the Wal-Mart parking lot.” It was tough, to never be homeless and now you’re homeless with your kids.” After two months, “someone got me connected with a domestic abuse shelter…they gave us Catholic Charities’ number. “ William, Jamilah and Niko Pasco Women’s Shelter, an eight-month program for homeless women, took her in. “Catholic Charities helped me…to work because the boys could stay at the shelter…without me being there.” Jamilah caught a bus for work at 5:00 am and wouldn’t return home until 10:30 pm! “We were in the women’s shelter at the end of April until we moved here…July 1st.” Here is their three-bedroom apartment. Catholic Charities assisted through its ‘Rapid Rehousing’ program (helps low income families find affordable housing and pays move-in expenses). Jamilah believes, “everything happens the way God wants it to.” “It is a blessing.” “I found a job closer ‘cause I don’t like being…far…from the kids…” She now works retail and was promoted to Assistant Store Manager. As for her boys, Jamilah says “William has always been a pillar of strength…and has self-esteem enough for a small country”, but “Niko had…a little bit of a rough patch.” Both boys are doing well in school and play football. William is being recruited by major universities for an athletic scholarship and Nicholas is looking forward to getting a job to pay for college. Regarding aspirations for her family, Jamilah says “Eventually I’d like to get back into school…just having stability, a home for the boys…when they come back from college.” Jamilah says Catholic Charities “doesn’t make you feel like you are part of a program; more like a neighbor helping a neighbor. She’s thankful Catholic Charities helped “get us into a home and get us stable and back functioning as a normal family.” Article by: Lou Ricardo Tweet Share Pin it PREVIOUS STORY Giving Tuesday (Dec. 3, 2019) NEXT STORY 2019 Year-in-Review Popular Latest Comments 2nd February 2017 Prayer Vigil For Migrants And Refugees 30th March 2020 Catholic Charities Hillsborough Hope – Est. March 30, 2020 1st December 2020 Giving Tuesday (Dec. 1, 2020) 22nd June 2018 Christmas At San Jose Mission 26th June 2015 Pinellas Hope (Stanley Cup & TB Lightning Bet) Pizza Party! Our Mission Catholic Charities serves with charity and compassion to promote the sanctity and dignity of all people with God. As a member of Church, Catholic Charities offers hope by helping those in need and unites with others in service. Our Values Catholic Charities makes a Commitment to Serve all people with Respect, Compassion and Cooperation in the spirit of a unifying God. Find us elsewhere All Contents © 2021 Catholic Charities, Diocese of St. Petersburg, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Our Locations: St. Petersburg – (727) 893-1314 • Tampa – (813) 631-4370 • Hudson – (352) 523-6958 • Dade City – (352) 521-1218