“You find situations that are more than compelling at times, and with just a little bit of resources, you can permanently change a life. – Tony and Lisa Vogel, donors of The Care Service
What does it take to permanently change someone’s life?
Michelle’s life turned upside down after her husband, Chris, suddenly passed away. She had always worked hard, but her income wasn’t enough to support herself and her two children on her own. As bills piled up, Michelle and the kids lost their home.
Her children were able to stay with family, but Michelle had nowhere to go. She began living in her car. What weighed on her most wasn’t the cramped space or the relentless noise but the loss of something most people take for granted: a bathroom of her own. Each shower meant paying $17 at a truck stop.
Still, Michelle held onto hope and was saving up for a security deposit. When she later reached out for help, The Care Service stepped in and covered the deposit and first month’s rent. “Jessica, my case manager, was amazing,” said Michelle. “She got me out of my car as fast as she could.”
Michelle reclaimed not just a safe home but also her dignity. Her new bathroom was small, but to her it meant everything. She could shower before work, feel refreshed, and start each day with confidence. Michelle has also started to attend support groups for people who lost their spouses. “I would like to help others in my situation too,” she said.
Michelle has always loved arts and crafts. Her home is decorated with stones she collects on hikes and vases and flowers she creates from worn-out clothes and newspapers. Even in the hardest moments, she held onto the small sparks of wonder that reminded her the world still had goodness to offer.
A little bit of help was what it needed to lift Michelle out of the situation and change her life permanently. It’s a new beginning, and Michelle looks forward to it.
