Rechael came to us with an uncertain road ahead. A single mother of twins, Rechael came to Houston from New Orleans fleeing domestic violence with few options for meeting her basic needs. She lacked access to clean water, reliable transportation, shelter, diapers for her babies, or access to childcare necessary to help her focus on her aspirations of steady, gainful employment as a licensed nurse.

Rechael sought help from a number of resources only to be turned away until she made it to our partners at Catholic Charities. The very same day she reached out, she was provided with diapers, milk, food, and a place to stay.

But our navigators didn’t stop with meeting Rechael’s immediate needs. Rechael’s Navigator started working to put Rechael on a sustainable path to financial stability. She helped her get assistance with her car note so that she could stay mobile. She was able to connect her with childcare. She was able to help her enroll in career training that would help her find a forward trajectory in her work as a nurse.

Soon after, Rechael began a new job as a Certified Nursing Assistant while she pursues the necessary training to become a licensed nurse and spends quality time with her children in a safe and stable environment.

She no longer has to worry about paying for hotels or sacrificing food in order to meet her children's basic needs. She's even been able to join United Way's Community Leadership Council where she helps others like herself chart their own path to financial stability.