When Ms. B., a dedicated mother of two from Detroit, first connected with the Society of St. Vincent de Paul Detroit, the weight of potential eviction hung heavy on her shoulders. After a difficult period of unemployment during the summer months, she found herself falling behind on rent, despite her best efforts to keep her family afloat.
“You could see the worry in her eyes,” recalls the Vincentian who first met with Ms. B. “She had recently returned to work but simply couldn’t catch up on the arrears that had accumulated.”
Ms. B. was caught in that precarious space where working families often find themselves—employed but unable to overcome a financial setback without support.
Understanding the urgency of her situation, we quickly connected Ms. B. with our ALICE Rent Assistance Program. Through this vital resource, we were able to contribute $1,000 directly toward her past-due rent, preventing what could have been a traumatic displacement for her young family.
The impact was immediate and profound. This timely intervention not only kept a roof over their heads, but also provided Ms. B. with the breathing room she needed to regain her financial footing. Today, her household is “doing well and thriving,” in her own words. She has maintained steady employment and no longer requires rent assistance.
Ms. B. is now focused on rebuilding her savings and addressing other practical needs, such as necessary vehicle repairs. Thanks to the compassionate support of our Vincentian community, what could have been a devastating setback has instead become a story of resilience and recovery.
