I had been homeless for about a week. When you’re out in the street, it’s very nerve-wracking and you don’t know who to trust.

For Alvin, the transition into homelessness was a blur of exhaustion. Without a safe place to close his eyes, sleep became a luxury he couldn’t afford. Standing in line for food at The Red Door, he finally reached out to a stranger to ask a simple question: Where do I go?

That question led him to Catholic Charities’ caseworkers, who opened the door to St. Joseph House of Hospitality—a dedicated residence for men over 50.

When they said they could help me with that situation, it was like a weight off my shoulder. I thought it was just a place to stay at first, but I got much more help than I thought I would get.

At St. Joe’s, Alvin found the immediate essentials—a bed of his own, clothes, and toiletries. But beyond the physical supplies, he found the mental space to stop surviving and start planning. The “nerve-wracking” uncertainty of the streets was replaced by a sense of security that allowed him to look toward tomorrow.

I can’t imagine where I would be right now if I didn’t have St. Joe’s. Now I actually have a day-to-day plan where I’m going to be, how I’m going to take care of myself, and what I want to do for the future.

Catholic Charities meets men like Alvin at their most vulnerable points—often starting with a single meal—and provides the stability needed to rebuild a life. For Alvin, that support has made all the difference in his outlook.

I’m going to actually be okay now.