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St. Vincent de Paul CARES

St. Vincent de Paul CARES

Making Homelessness Rare. Brief. One-Time.

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A Survivor’s Story

St. Vincent de Paul CARES knows persistence pays off. Jessica, one of our case managers, had left voice mails for a young woman named Danielle for almost a year to invite her into our Rapid Rehousing program.

Danielle was battling addiction and homelessness when she filled out an application for the program. She didn’t think anything would come of it . . . she didn’t feel worthy of care, respect or love.

That’s why Danielle was so quick to fall for a man who later drugged her and drove her across the state, where he abused and sexually trafficked her. She managed to escape her abuser and make her way back to her hometown. SVdP CARES finally found her and offered her—and now, her unborn baby—a chance for a better life.

“Miss Jessica was my guardian angel,” Danielle says. “When she told me about the program, I cried. I didn’t think I deserved it.”

Because of generous support, Danielle, her newborn, and her six-year-old son were placed in a home of their own. Finally having solid ground under her feet, Danielle reconciled with her family and began building a brand-new life. She and her children are now thriving.

Every day survivors of unimaginable hardship, like Danielle, turn to SVdP CARES for a chance to start again. So far, friends like you have helped SVdP CARES serve close to 11,000 clients through our Rapid Rehousing and Homelessness Prevention programs. Together, we will make homelessness rare, brief, and one-time for more people like Danielle.

“Danielle is a survivor,” Jessica says. “Despite the many challenges in her life, she was able to overcome each one. She is very grateful for the assistance provided through SVdP CARES and says she wouldn’t be where she is today without it.”

Click here to read a note from Danielle—she wanted to tell you herself how her life has been changed!

SVdP CARES is so grateful for your support – and so is Danielle. We won’t give up until everyone in need is safe and cared for. Persistence, like prayer, always pays off.

July 30, 2020 By Mary Burns

Filed Under: Appeal, Blog, Real Faces of Homelessness

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384 15th Street N
St. Petersburg, FL 33705

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