“Anna” was widowed at the age of 30 with two small children. Already on the brink of poverty and emotional collapse, her small house was extensively damaged later that same year during the severe flooding of December 2015. Anna was completely overwhelmed, and could not afford to pay for the repairs. Our long-term disaster case managers, collaborating with other Catholic Charities agencies, saw the need to assist her on multiple levels–far more than only the home repairs she needed. They worked to get school supplies for the children, connect her with grief counseling for the entire family, and helped Anna find employment that meant the family would remain financially sound. With the area network for flood relief, they procured construction materials and assembled a volunteer team to repair her home. Finally, Anna and her children have hope and stability after enduring the darkest and most difficult period of their lives.
