"I was able to do it, so can you."
You can do it, others have.
These ladies will inspire you, read what they say about being a part of SRS
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“Before moving into St. Ray’s House, I often had to choose between buying groceries or buying gasoline or paying for daycare. It was tough because I had to have gas and daycare to go to work, but we needed food too. It’s not ok for your kid to be hungry when you are working sixty-five hours a week and it’s still not enough. A mother should not have to make these kinds of choices! It’s just wrong! I don’t have to worry about those kind things now. I am working harder than I ever have before, but it feels great because I am working on my future and I am making real progress.”
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It is no secret that single mothers struggle every day just to meet their family’s needs – food, housing, transportation and childcare. Moms should NEVER have to choose which of the basic necessities she will provide for her children and which they will do without.
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“I’ve always wanted to continue my education, but it wasn’t possible before now. I had to work two jobs just to be able to pay all our bills so I didn’t have time to go to class and to study. I thought that was the way I would have to live the rest of my life, barely scraping by. But living at St. Ray’s, I have time for school, because I only have to work one job. I am eager to accomplish my education goals and begin my career. I love the attention and the celebrations we get with each accomplishment. It is something I never had before. It feels good to have people that want you to succeed and believe you can. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity! I am making the most of it.”
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“Just when I was about to be able to get us a place of our own, I had a major auto repair. I had to use everything I had saved up for an apartment to fix my car instead. I felt like I was never going to get ahead. Never going to be able to provide what we needed. I didn’t have anyone to help me. We had nowhere to live. Then I moved into St. Raymond’s and everything changed for us. I mean EVERYTHING! I am doing things I never believed I could do. I now know that we are going to have a place of our own soon and I am always going to be able to provide the things we need on my own. It feels great to know that I will stand on my own two feet!”
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“At first, moving into St. Ray’s made me feel like I had failed again. But I didn’t have a choice. I was homeless and I didn’t have anywhere else to go. Now I know that moving in here was the best thing that could have happened to me! I have learned so much in such a short time. I’ve learned how to cook fresh, healthy meals and how to manage my money properly. I even have a savings account! I can hardly believe everything that I have managed to accomplish already. I have a full time job and I am working on my degree. Great things are finally happening for me. For the first time in my life, I feel like things are going my way – like I am finally going to make it. I feel like I have control of my life and my future. I am making good decisions and working hard for our future. I love my life and I am so thankful to be living here!”
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As you can see, our program is creating a lasting change that will affect not only the lives of the mothers we serve and the lives of their children but also the generations that will follow.
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"I couldn’t be where I am today without their help."
– Alex
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"I was very honest with St. Raymond’s about my past. And the fact that they were still willing to help me and didn’t judge me was phenomenal."
– Alex
"The help I received allowed me to get back on my feet and allow my family to have our own house again. They were and are a true blessing."
– Rita
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"I have found a job and been able to continue my education with a roof over my head thank to St. Raymond’s Society."
– Brooklyn
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"The support St. Raymond’s gave me was more than I could ever have asked for."
– Rita
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"These people genuinely care about the women and their children, and all they want to do is see you thrive. It’s not just a place to sleep every night."
– Alex
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"St. Raymond’s have been just a great support because being a single struggling mother is not easy. I can’t thank the staff and organization enough for all they have done."
– Brooklyn
