As you enjoy time at home with your loved ones this holiday season, celebrate the individuals and families who, because of your generous support, are enjoying their new homes this Christmas.
For 67 years, Father Joe’s Villages has been making Christmas and the holiday season bright for those who are homeless, especially the children and their families. During the holidays, our families’ days are filled with decorations, parties, limousine rides, special meals and visits from Santa, creating Christmas memories that will last a lifetime.
Best of all, because of generous donors like you, Father Joe’s Villages can give our neighbors the gift of home: a front door with a lock, a stove to cook warm meals, a sink with hot water, a soft pillow and comfortable bed, a place to put up a Christmas tree, a window to display a Menorah, a table to gather round for a holiday meal.
In 2016, Father Joe’s Villages helped nearly 830 people find their way home. This year, because of your incredible support, we have been able to help even more.
In 2017, Father Joe’s Villages’ work has helped hundreds of families move off the streets and into homes of their own. The story of Denika and her young son is one such miracle.
After her service ended with the United States Air Force, Denika lost everything due to PTSD. Eventually, she and her son were on the streets searching for help. Thankfully they found Father Joe’s Villages where Denika received financial support for her rent, assistance in negotiating with the landlord and follow-up visits to ensure they were settling comfortably into their new home. After moving into their apartment, Denika wrote a heartfelt thank you letter to the Tenant Services staff who work with her,
“I no longer need to fear where I can sleep at night, or fear the direction my life will head to next. I now have an opportunity to start a
new life with my son, because you helped me start one. I get to start and rebuild a new life with my son because God placed my livelihood in your hands, and you followed with grace.”
Your support also makes it possible for us to help individuals like Max find their way home. Max first came to Father Joe’s Villages to access emergency services at the San Diego Day Center and receive nutritious meals from the Franklin Antonio Public Lunch Line. When Max came to us to find housing, Father Joe’s Villages was able to move Max off the streets and into interim housing at the Paul Mirabile Center.
“The staff, the environment, [having] somewhere to sleep and wake up somewhere where you can be secure” allowed Max to buckle down to seek resources and permanent housing.
Max lives with a mental illness and a learning disability. Although he doesn’t have any family to ask for help, Max was able to turn to Father Joe’s Villages.
Just last month, Max was able to achieve his dream of having a home of his own.
Moving into affordable housing with on-going services provided by Father Joe’s Villages’ Tenant Services program, Max knew that he not only had safety and security, but also support. Tenant Services offers continued resources that will help Max maintain his housing. They also grant him peace of mind that there is someone there whenever he needs it.
As Helen Keller once said, “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” Although shelter is essential to survival, the importance of home is more than just a roof over one’s head—it’s the feeling of support, comfort and safety in a space that is completely one’s own. A home where traditions can take root and grow.
As you enjoy time at home with your loved ones this holiday season, celebrate the individuals and families who, because of your generous support, are enjoying their new homes this Christmas.
There are still 9,100 people experiencing homelessness on any given night in San Diego and we must open our hearts and prayers that they may also find their way home.
This Christmas, help us move even more men, women and children off the street and into permanent housing.
Give a gift to all of San Diego and donate today. >>
Thank you for your unrelenting support throughout this wonderful year and into the next. I wish you a very happy holiday and a Merry Christmas!
“May your walls know joy, may every room hold laughter, and every window open to great possibility.” – Mary Anne Radmacher
Yours in God’s Service to our Neighbors in Need,
P.S. We are proud to share the planning group Civic San Diego voted to give final approval for our new affordable housing development at 14th and Commercial Streets. This is the largest project of our Turning the Key initiative. With more than 400 units specifically designed to serve people who have fallen into homelessness, we are working to address the shortage of housing for those on our streets.
