What residents say about their experiences....

 v    “Thank you so much for what you have done to help me and my children in our time of need.  I appreciate Catherine’s House and the staff for their openness and understanding.”

 v    “We all thank you for allowing us to call Catherine’s House our home.   We needed you and you helped us.”

 v    “My thanks to all the staff at Catherine’s House.  As the door was opened to me, I was warmly welcomed, loved, helped to achieve my dream, to reach my goals.  Your help made it all happen.   I will never forget the programs, services, gifts, and a beautiful Christmas for all of us.  Homeless does not mean you have to be hopeless.  My dreams will continue because of my faith and will to seek what lies ahead.”

 v  “Thank you, everyone at Catherine’s House, for all the help you gave me and my girls during our stay with you.  We would not be on our own today if it was not for Catherine’s House.  Thank you all for your help.”

More of Our Stories

Like many of you Mary has been faced with many challenges in her life. She was a single mom with no family support, lost a son and has dealt with depression and anexity. But through it all she continues to move forward and make her dreams a reality.

Mary was a former resident of Catherine’s House. Since moving out, she moved into her own place in Mt. Holly, which she resided in for about 3 years. She is now happily married and working on her college degree from Belmont Abbey. She says that going back to school has been the best experience since leaving Catherine’s House. School has given her a lot of self worth and allowed her to believe in herself again.

Mary’s advice to current residents in the house is to go to college. Education will help residents grow and enhance their skills. She also encourages residents to not be so quick to say no due to fear and self doubt. Be willing to get out of your comfort zone.

Mary is now an intern for Catherine’s House because she wanted to give back and let the current residents know that the staff at Catherine’s House is here to help them because they only want what’s best for them.

A teenager recalls her feelings for Catherine's House. . .

"Before I moved here, I didn't even know of a place named Catherine's House. Neither did I know the meaning of the word homeless; I always had a roof over my head and knew I was going to be fed everyday, and taken care of, no worries whatsoever. But then, our lives, my mother, my sister and I, went downhill. My dad left us and he was the person bringing in the money because my mom couldn't work because of her back. He left us with no money, nothing that showed he even cared for us anymore. At the age of fifteen, I had to get a job to bring in some money since my mom was unable to work; still it wasn't enough money for three women living in a house; we had to choose between the rent and food.

"We then worried about many things, things a fifteen-year-old and an eleven-year-old should not worry about, such as, when are we going to eat? Where are we going to sleep tomorrow night? Are we still going to be together? Then one day we were evicted from our house that we had lived in for what I thought to be forever. We had no where to go! Someone told us about Catherine's House up in Belmont. We had no idea what the place was, we had never heard of it before. It is sponsored by the Sisters of Mercy; they were very kind to us. They made it feel like a home for us.

"Catherine's House gives you a fresh start on life and helps you get back on your feet. This place has changed my life so much; we no longer need my dad. We were helped with family services such as Medicaid, Food stamps and Work First. They also helped us with Section 8 and finding a house for us. In a matter of days we are moving back into a house, without worries! No worries about the rent being too high, or not having anything to eat. Catherine's House gave us this fresh start in life, I don't know what we would have done without the staff and residents there. I can't show how much I appreciate them."

Another former resident said. . .

"The women who find their way to Catherine's House come from very different circumstances, yet one thing is the same ion all of us. We are all without shelter or the money to acquire shelter and/or without family support. We find the support we need at Catherine's House from the Sisters of Mercy, staff, volunteers and the residents. The list of things I needed when I first arrived was long and the list of things I received from Catherine's House is equally as long; safety, sense of community, friendship, faith, good rules to live by, a nice place to lay my head at night, relief from many problems, good counseling, friendly, caring and wise people to guide me toward some goals, a purpose driven life. I lacked these things and Catherine's House provided them — and much more.

"I had not felt safe in a very long time. I moved around from State to State — always starting over, always a stranger in town — mostly without money or employment. The staff at Catherine's House helped me stay and find some stability in my life. I received quality weekly counseling — with an opportunity to continue for three months, even after I exit the program. Weekly strategy sessions were provided by the case manager. I enjoyed a series of interesting as well as important group meetings and worked on different areas of my life with classes in nutrition, child-care, empowerment of women, guidance in renting and the fun story-telling group to name just a few.

"I was helped with money for gas and auto insurance. Clothing and toiletries were provided as needed. I was truly blessed to find Catherine's House — my home for the past 4½ months. Now I have found employment as an on-site Property Manager and it comes not only with a salary but an apartment as well. This would never have happened if I had not come to Catherine's House and the Sisters of Mercy. I will never forget my experience. I wish that space and funds could provide a facility and program like this to all the people in poverty whether homeless or not. After I get settled I will return and volunteer there."