My name’s John. I was living with my mom, taking care of her for about ten years. When she passed away, I obviously couldn’t take care of the house by myself. After we sold it, I lived on the street.
For three months, John found shelter where he could—under bridges, in abandoned cars, anywhere that stayed dry. “I thank God every day that I found this place,” he said.
That place was Catholic Charities’ St. Joseph House of Hospitality, where older men experiencing homelessness can rebuild—with dignity, stability, and support.
Just having three meals a day and a place to sleep has probably been the most beneficial thing. Not having to worry about where you’re going to sleep the next day or where your next meal is going to come from… that’s the biggest relief that St. Joe’s provides.
What he’s most proud of is the transformation. “You can go from being in a very bad place to a very good place—very quick,” he said. “When you least expect it, there’s always somebody there, putting a hand out, helping you when you really, really need it.”
Without St. Joe’s? I think I’d definitely still be homeless. There’s no doubt.