A former resident of St. Vincent de Paul Village shares the touching story of Christmas “gifts” she and her daughter have received…
I came to St. Vincent de Paul Village a little after the holidays in January 2008 when I was 8 1/2 months pregnant. My daughter’s father and I had been evicted from our apartment and had nowhere else to go. You can imagine–those were the least “happy holidays” of my life.
But a miracle has happened–my daughter Micah was born on Feb. 2, 2008. For the first months of her life, the Village was the only home she would really know.
During those first months at the Village, both Micah’s dad and I were alcoholics. Our first stay was not very productive because of our inability to honestly see how alcohol was affecting our lives, decisions and well-being. We left to find another way.
During the time away from the Village, it was mortifying to not have anywhere safe and stable for my daughter to rest and play. After 4 months floating between people’s couches, hotels and shelters, Micah and I returned to the Village.
This time, I knew that I would have to do something different. I didn’t know how to stop drinking or how to begin a new life, but with the help of The Village’s Addiction Treatment & Education Center, I was given the choice to get sober. And I did.
Once I got sober, I started to take my life and decisions a lot more seriously. The Therapeutic Childcare program at St. Vincent de Paul Village helped Micah and I so much. I was able to look for work without worrying about childcare.
In December, I began interning with a law firm. This was the best Christmas “gift”I received in a while thanks to my hard work to get better and St. Vincent de Paul Village’s support.
My internship led me to the job I have today. I have now been employed with the same company for several years. Recently, another early Christmas “gift” was my promotion from receptionist to legal secretary.
As for our living arrangements, Micah and I have been living in our own condominium since we moved out of the Village.
I am so grateful to St. Vincent de Paul Village for all of the help and support I received. Left on my own, I would not have been able to make the changes that were so essential to building a life worth living, and that is what I have today.
– Connie M.
