In a world where struggles often remain unseen, Catholic Charities continues to shine a light on those who need it most. This is the story of one woman – we’ll call her Debbie – who found solace and support in the midst of her family’s darkest times, thanks to the unwavering assistance provided by Catholic Charities’ generous partners and donors of Weld County.
It was a cold January morning when Connie, a Victims Assistance Coordinator at the Guadalupe Community Center in Greeley, received the call. Domestic violence had shaken Debbie, a mother of five, leaving her family in need of assistance. This is a story that Connie has heard far too many times, but each time it carries a unique set of circumstances that demands a response filled with care and empathy.
Connie wasted no time in figuring out next steps. She compiled a Crime Victims Compensation application, a lifeline to aid her in navigating the legal and financial hurdles that loomed ahead.
Debbie faced a tough decision – the possibility of relocation for her and her children, or the daunting prospect of rebuilding her life within the walls of her own home. Despite the hardships, she chose to stay, determined to create a haven of safety and stability for her three youngest children.
Gift cards from King Soopers and Walmart were a first step, offering sustenance and nourishment for her children. The emotional weight of this gesture brought Debbie to tears, a powerful reminder that compassion can touch the soul as profoundly as it touches the body.
Soon, Debbie’s family found themselves facing yet another heart-wrenching situation. Her granddaughter in Texas, a vibrant eight-year-old, was battling glioblastoma – an inoperable brain tumor. Not knowing the situation, Connie reached out to check on her and found out that Debbie’s granddaughter’s health had just taken a turn for the worst. “I was in the right place at the right time,” remembers Connie. “I really don’t think she would have reached out for help for a second time.”
Connie wanted to find a way to get the family together, so she got creative and tapped into a private donor emergency fund to provide Debbie with a gas card. This simple gesture enabled the family to travel to Texas and be with Debbie’s granddaughter during her final days, granting her the comfort and closure that only a loving presence could bring.
When she returned to Colorado, Debbie insisted on returning the unused Walmart gift cards, expressing a deep belief that someone else in even greater need could benefit from them. It was a powerful example of paying it forward, even in the midst of personal hardship.
As the months unfolded, new challenges emerged – a car on the brink of repossession, the looming threat of financial instability. Once again, Catholic Charities stepped in, this time facilitating Debbie’s application for a Women2Women Scholarship. Their support was her lifeline, ensuring she could access medical care for her husband and daughters, therapy for her children and the means to attend job interviews that held the promise of a better future.
In her moment of gratitude, she penned a heartfelt letter to Women2Women, a testament to the life-changing impact their support had made. Her words painted a vivid picture of the struggles she had endured and the hope that had been rekindled by their generosity. She spoke of the burdens carried by caregivers, a weight that only another woman could truly comprehend.
This story, which is both heartwarming and heartbreaking, is a testament to the people who help the Guadalupe Community Center in Greeley support neighbors who need it most. Our team, partners and generous benefactor’s unwavering dedication and compassion ensure that our neighbors don’t walk their difficult journeys alone. This is a story of resilience, compassion and the indomitable spirit of one woman who dared to believe that even in the darkest of times, there are angels among us, ready to lift us up and help us find our way.