The Heartline
Spring 2015 “I think I actually got to find myself while I’m here.” Like many homeless women, Jessica was fleeing domestic violence. At Providence House, she found a safe and supportive place where her natural strengths could flourish.
Jessica thought tumultuous, violent relationships were behind her when her abusive partner left the United States. Though relieved at the break-up, Jessica was overwhelmed by the financial strain of being a single, working parent. Unable to afford an apartment, she moved in with relatives of her son’s father—an environment that soon turned violent. Jessica had to leave immediately, both for herself and for her children. “I was in a toxic home and my kids were aware of it,” she said. “It was a messy situation.” She took both her young children, entered the shelter system, and was referred to Providence House’s transitional apartment house.
“We lucked out because this place has really benefited us...I have a place for my kids and not have negativity around us. I think I actually got to find myself while I’m here.”
Our Case Manager immediately partnered with Jessica to make a plan to stabilize her life and locate services to help her. Despite what she’d been through, Jessica had great things going for her. She is a terrific, caring mom and a motivated, dependable worker. She even kept her restaurant job throughout the chaotic time with her partner and his family. Those strengths became a strong foundation for her to build on, and she quickly progressed toward selfsufficiency.
Now, after six months with us, Jessica is preparing to move out into her own apartment. In the New York City market, it is difficult finding a place she can afford, even with some funds she’s saved and a rental subsidy from the City. However, with Jessica’s patience and motivation, along with help from her Providence House case manager, we expect she’ll find something soon. “Even though we’re here temporarily, we lucked out because this place has really benefited us,” she said. “This was actually a very good experience. I have a place for my kids and we don’t have negativity around us. I think I actually got to find myself while I’m here.”
Quick Facts More than 500 women and children were served at Providence House in 2014 at our parole/reentry residences; transitional shelters; and permanent supportive apartment houses, the D’Addario and Bishop Sullivan residences. Homeless children witness more violence and suffer more behavioral problems than other children. To counteract these negative effects, Providence House offers its families developmental evaluations, a pre-literacy program, and a childcare center. Research shows more than 90% of homeless mothers have experienced severe physical and/ or sexual abuse in their lives. Providence House’s genderresponsive, trauma-informed approach helps residents build on their strengths and recover from such experiences. A John Jay College research team has partnered with Providence House to identify the strengths of our successful parole/re-entry program and to develop a plan to even further improve outcomes for our women. For more interesting facts, news and updates, connect with Providence House on social media:
Thank you for making Jessica’s experience at Providence House possible. Hundreds of caring donors allowed us to welcome almost 300 families like hers last year, giving them the loving and supportive homes they need and deserve.
Providence House | 703 Lexington Avenue | Brooklyn, New York 11221 | www.ProvidenceHouse.org
Helping Hands At Providence House Mother Theresa, almost 20 years ago, gave the diagnosis: “The greatest disease in the West today. . . is being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for.” Our volunteers provide a cure. The women we serve, whether homeless or returning from prison, certainly need housing, employment, and stability. But we know they need more—they need to belong. They need to be connected. That’s why we at Providence House are so grateful for the volunteers who join in our work year-round, whether they come alone or with a group. Here are some of the ways volunteers have joined in our work since our last newsletter: Volunteer groups organized Valentine’s day and Easter parties for our residents. They created Easter gift baskets to give out to the families. The volunteers also come in monthly at two of our residences, to celebrate the month’s birthdays with the moms and children.
Volunteers from YAI come to Providence House every Wednesday to help with housekeeping and administrative tasks. This also helps YAI participants develop skills that will transfer to other areas of their own lives.
Of course, it isn’t all parties! Generous people regularly share their time to read to children in our residences, tutor them in reading and math, and help the mothers prepare for the TASC test for high school equivalency.
from the moms and kids, THANK YOU to all the volunteers! Here are some of them:
Academy of Business, Finance and Entrepreneurship • Bridge Church Project • Catholic Daughters, Court of St. Patrick #2422 • Cornerstone Baptist Church, Brooklyn • Delta Sigma Delta • Flatlands Leos Club • Highlanders Motorcycle Club, Brooklyn • Immaculate Conception Parish, Jamaica • Jamaica Lions Club • Long Island University • Monroe College • Mt. Olive Pentecostal Church, Brooklyn • Municipal Credit Union • Nazareth Regional High School, Brooklyn • Oak Knoll • Our Lady of Snows, Floral Park • Prospect Heights Lions Club • Public School 251K • St. Anthony of Padua, NYC • St. Bernadette School, Brooklyn • St. Charles of Borromeo Parish, Brooklyn • St. Columba Parish, Brooklyn • St. Edmund Preparatory School, Brooklyn • St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Academy, Brooklyn • St. Gregory the Great Parish, Bellerose Jeff Zorabedian has been a • St. John’s University • St. Luke Parish, Whitestone • St. Nicholas of Tolentine, Jamaica • St. Peter Catholic Academy, volunteer photographer for us Brooklyn • St. Philip Neri, Northport • Transport Workers Union of America • U Matter Project • YAI • Zion Grand Chapter in recent months. His fine work
If you would like to volunteer at Providence House, please email Paula Migliore at MiglioreP@ProvidenceHouse.org
can be seen in this newsletter and at: www.JDZPhotography.com
Thanks to The Noun Project’s Moveable Feast Collective, Murat Yalcin, Gina Furnari, Vladimir and Ryan Beck for graphic icons in this newsletter.
People of Hope Celebration Thursday, June 4, 2015 6 - 9 pm The Water Club
For more information, please go to www.ProvidenceHouse.org or call us at 718.455.0197