Unmet human needs

Rebecca’s Journey: Walking With the
Vulnerable, One Step at a Time

When Rebecca first came to Catholic Charities, she was pregnant, and living in her car with her partner, Luis. Deeply distrustful of public systems after
having lost custody of her other children, Rebecca identified as a “sovereign citizen.” She was determined to stay off the grid — no ID, no government help,
and eventually, no birth certificate or Social Security number for her newborn son.

Despite these barriers, Rebecca found someone she could trust: Niki, our Workforce Director. Niki wasn’t there to judge or fix her — she simply showed
up, again and again, offering support where it was welcome. When Luis was eventually incarcerated, Rebecca gave birth alone and stayed out of touch for a
time. But that relationship with Niki remained a lifeline.

Over time, Niki gently encouraged Rebecca to think about her child’s future — about daycare, healthcare, education — and the documentation needed to access those opportunities. With Niki by her side, Rebecca went to the county office to secure her son’s birth certificate and social security number.

Months later, Rebecca returned — now re-enrolled in Elevating Families and setting new life goals, driving a registered and insured car, expecting another child, and fully engaged in Catholic Charities’ wraparound services. She now receives monthly food boxes, is enrolled in SNAP, and the couple has begun working with Immigration Legal Services to support Luis’s legal status. Long-term housing support is also in progress.

Rebecca’s story is not linear — few of our clients’ journeys are. But it’s exactly the kind of transformation that happens when trust, time, and holistic support come together.

“No other agency could have done what Catholic Charities did for Rebecca,” Niki reflected. “We don’t fix people. We accompany them. That’s what
changes lives.”