Nora has grown as a person and experi­enced stability for the past eight years.
 

“It’s been great at St. Vincent de Paul,” said Nora, who just turned 53 years old. “I’ve been opening up. I’m not stressed out as much as I was, trying to wonder what I’m going to feed my kids, where we’re going to lay our heads. It took a whole lot of stress off me. St. Vincent has been so good to me. They talk to me. They understand me.”
 

As a client in one of our off-campus permanent supportive housing programs, Nora is in a two-bedroom house with a backyard near Shawnee Park. She lives with her youngest daughter, Ke’Asia, and has her 3-year-old granddaughter, Sage, most of the time. Her dozen grandchil­dren frequently visit.
 

“There are so many good words that I can say about what St. Vincent has done for me. I could sit and talk about it all day long,” Nora added.
 

When Nora and Ke’Asia moved into their house, it quickly went from empty to fully furnished. It’s a place she has called home for nearly six years.
 

“In two days, St. Vincent fully fur­nished my whole apartment from dishes to blankets to toiletries. Everything I needed. I still didn’t have income. They are a blessing,” she said.
 

Nora will tell you she still has a long way to go, but she’s made significant strides in life.
 

“St. Vincent treats me like family, even though I get jittery, they’re very understanding,” Nora said. “You’ve been broken. They build you up. You still have your problems. They fix you. They don’t fix you all the way, but they see you’re smiling. You’re not sad. You’re not crying. Stuff like that makes me feel good.”
 

Nora is in counseling and has a supportive church family. She meets with her case manager regularly, and has received help with food, clothing, and presents through our annual Santa Shop for her children or grandchildren.
 

“I really don’t know where I would be because I was on the suicidal list,” Nora added. “If it wasn’t for St. Vincent, I don’t know what part of a total wreck I would be in. I’m not crying sad tears, but tears of joy, because of the support of St. Vincent.”
 

Nora was one of 17 children and raised in a small town in North Carolina.
 

“Growing up, they called me the outcast. I felt unseen,” she said.
 

In her 20's and 30's, Nora worked and had her own place. However, after some family and financial challenges, she and her six children experienced homelessness for about seven years. They even stayed at a St. Vincent de Paul shelter near her hometown. They also lived on the streets, scraped together money for motels, or couch surfed.
 

“It changed me because I felt not wanted,” Nora said. “I was emotionally broken down.”
 

When Nora moved to Louisville for a fresh start, most of her children were grown up and had places of their own. She found herself staying at a couple of local shelters.
 

“I’m new. I’m freaking out. I’m crying. I’m already having anxiety attacks. I’m trying to talk, but I’m nervous and crying at the same time because I don’t know anybody,” Nora said.
 

Thankfully, Nora and Ke’Asia were connected with us shortly thereafter, and we were able to offer permanent support­ive housing. Sometimes that’s all it takes to get a family back on track.
 

“St. Vincent has helped us a lot,” said Ke’Asia, who just graduated from high school. “The best thing has been being given a place to stay and rely on.”