‘C’ emigrated from Mexico. In Louisville he found himself homeless without identification and, consequently, unable to work. C has spent years in Louisville, bouncing from one organization to another trying to get the help he needed to live an independent life. “I went to many different places trying to get people to help me. People would tell me to go here or there to find the support I need, but I found no help,” explained C. “When Mrs. Shana became my case manager, things started to turn around.”
Shana worked with C to help him find the documentation he needed. She was able to get C an appointment with the Mexican Consulate, who said they could help if C had his birth certificate. C didn’t have his birth certificate and became discouraged, but Ozanam Inn Program Manager Auther encouraged C to keep working with the staff at St. Vincent de Paul Louisville, and that together they would find a way to get the birth certificate and get his ID.
By this time, Shana had moved to another program, but she remained dedicated to helping C. Shana worked with his new case manager, Latoya, to help C get his birth certificate and send that and the necessary documents to Immigration. Latoya and C travelled to Indianapolis to meet with immigration. Their hopes soared.
Unfortunately, Latoya and C hit another roadblock when Immigration required additional papers from the Mexican government as well as copies of photo IDs from two family members. While disappointed, C and Latoya did not give up. “We worked hard in the next month and a half to get all the paperwork filed, returned, and sent to Immigration,” explains Latoya.
At 7:55 p.m. on September 13, Latoya received notice that C had an appointment with Immigration on the 15th. While rearranging her schedule was difficult, Latoya would not disappoint C. They traveled to Indianapolis on the 15th, met with immigration and received C’s passport.
“While this is a small victory to us, it meant everything to C,” shares Latoya. “We still have a lot of work to do as we work to get C a social security number so he can work and get housing.”
C and Latoya are now working with St. John’s and Common Assessment to take these last steps toward having housing. “No matter how much work this takes, the outcome will be C has housing and can work. It makes my heart so happy to see C and my other clients happy,” smiles Latoya. “I’m looking forward to celebrating with C when he is able to work and have his own place to live.”
Would you like to help a client like C achieve his dreams? Your support of our programs helps case managers like Shana and Latoya serve those in need. Thank you.
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