Hi everyone. John from Catholic Charities St. Francis Community Services.

Today I’d like to tell you a story about a family from Haiti that came here in search of a better life. In order to do that, they asked to be part of our Abriendo Puertas program, which translates to “opening doors.”

As part of this program, people get access to just basic needs, things like clothing and plates and knives and forks and hygiene products, even beds when they need them.

But more importantly, they get access to knowledge.

Through our workshops on things like paying taxes, navigating the complexity of immigration paperwork, traffic law, financial empowerment, and other things, we’re giving them a basis of knowledge to help them continue to successfully grow in this country.

Recently, though, when people receive their work permits, we’re helping them find jobs. In this case, this young man, we helped him find a job at Drury Hotels. Drury’s partnered with us to help people who might not speak English very well to still be able to be gainfully employed and provide for their families.

Recently, the family had a medical setback. They had a $6,000 bill from a medical provider.

We worked with them and the provider to help get that bill down to something much more manageable, but more importantly, a payment plan where they can pay on monthly installments.

So now this family is healthy, they’re gainfully employed, they’re set up for success, and it’s all because of people like you and your support for St. Francis Community Services.

Thank you for all that you do.