“I Can’t Believe It”:Two More Women Get Homes

Betty,58, sat down on her new couch and beamed. “I can’t believe it,” she said, adding”now I have a beautiful home that I can afford on my disability check.” I can’t believe I have a place where my grand children can visit and I can buy them some treats too.” Betty lived for many years on her sister’s couch in a very crowded household because she had become disabled from a fall and had no income.The women priests from Good shepherd Ministries assisted her and she did qualify for Disability benefits. We also placed her on the list for Goodwill housing and gave her support throughout the long wait. Pastor Judy Beaumont helps Betty manage her benefits. Finding something within her range was hard. She was able to move into a small one room efficiency up a treacherous flight of stairs. The rent took almost all of her check and the stairs were a challenge keeping her mostly home bound but she was pleased with her own place. The property changed hands and the high rent went up. She held on. But finally in late July, after almost three years,her name came up for a one bedroom totally accessible  town house with Goodwill Housing for the physically disabled.   Good Shepherd helped her to make the move assisting with furniture and making the move. She says that she has never been happier, “Now I can act like a Grandmother should act. They can visit and sleep on the couch and I have my own bedroom. It is like heaven!”  

This is Betty On August 6th,2014 enjoying her new home. Her smile says it all!

Rose,57, lived behind the church in our Good Shepherd hospitality unit since May 2nd. She was so happy that God led her to us in May as she was living in her car in a truck stop and was separated from her beloved dog. She could now have her dog with her as she waited for a final court decision on her Disability benefits. In the meantime, she had no income. Thanks to a grant from The Father’s Table Foundation and other donations we were able to house her and her dog and give her a regular stipend for gas,storage, and personal items and dog food. Yet, as the time wore on and the court decision was not rendered her stress increased. Her fears and depression increased and became severe. She was responsive to getting help and reached out for it. This made her eligible for special HUD funded apartments through Renaissance Manor. We helped her apply for this.  Today, August 7,2014 she was able to move into a beautiful large shared apartment near a lake that she and her beloved dog could walk to and enjoy. We will continue to give her a stipend. She too kept saying “I can’t believe it. I have no income yet, but I finally have a home”.  She still awaits the Court decision but you could see her cares recede as she replaced them with a smile and gratitude that came from the bottom of her heart.

Rose packs up the car and dog to move to her new home. They will not have to live in the car again.   

Rose in front of her new home with Bob Tonetti, Director of Renaissance Manor Agency.  

Rose is receiving the keys from Assistant Director Will Shaw. 

Pastor Judy Beaumont and I are celebrating Roses’ new home with her.  Thanks be to God!. 

Both Rose and Betty also continue serve others who have experienced hard times with our Good Shepherd Inclusive Catholic Church. 

Rev. Dr. Judy Lee, RCWP and Rev. Judy Beaumont, RCWP, Co-Pastors