Connie, I know you probably see people who struggle all the time and many whose cases are more severe, but I hope that you know how much we appreciate all of the help you’ve given us. From the toiletries and diapers to the financial counseling and programs that get us through these tough times. You’re helping me create a better life for my kids and I and that is so priceless! I just had a chance to look through the bag you sent me home with today and I broke down in tears. Part of me says, “I’d never thought I’d be in the situation to need help” but there’s a bigger part of me that just feels so blessed to have the support. We’re going to be okay and are already in such a better place than we were just a few months ago, thanks to you!

Saying thank you doesn’t even come close to describing my gratitude. You’re an amazing person doing an incredible job for people in our community every day. I hope to be able to give back in any way that I can. Thank you so much.
~Melissa, Project Step Up Client

I am very thankful for all the help and support. I feel like I always have someone on my side. When I first started I had to make a 1 year goal plan. My three month goal was to provide diapers for my daughter, my six month goal was to pay off my car, which I owed $10,000 on, and my year goal was to buy a house. So far I can afford diapers for my daughter, I paid off my car in December and I am just starting to look for houses. It has been hard but I have taken great pride in having financial freedom. I would like to thank everyone that has helped me through this program and has helped me with getting my life back. Hope is something wonderful. Because when you don’t have HOPE, you don’t have dreams. Thank you, thank you, thank you… This is something that I will take with me the rest of my life and teach my daughter.

~Nicole, Project Step Up Graduate

“Kevin was great! I feel more confident about my move and the choices I need to make going forward. Great person, glad I was able to meet with him. Very knowledgeable.”
~SLCS Client

“It was as if everything was being taken away one thing after another. We struggled until we came into the program where we learned how to budget, and control our spending. We were able to stay on top of expenses. We are filled with gratitude. We are glad it wasn’t just a handout. It was an opportunity to help ourselves. Before Project Step Up, we wondered if we would ever get on top of our bills.”
~Chris & Brandie, Project Step Up Clients

“My husband is in the nursing home and I had a stroke, so I’m glad to have help to handle my finances. My family helps pay the accountant. I don’t get money from Catholic Charities. They do the bookwork and I like to have the paper sent to me from paying my bills. Thank you!”
~Rep. Payee Client

With the help of Catholic Charities, our family was able to climb out from under the crushing pressure of credit card and other forms of debt. The pressure was mounting to change our financial path, sooner, much sooner, than later. We were always robbing Peter to pay Paul. We already had spent our retirement money to pay our credit card bills and house payments. My experience with them was awesome. The first thing, I came up into their office and with my Social Security number I was able to look up my credit scores and my husband’s. My husband was able to call certain people to ask them to get certain things taken off the credit report. By taking the classes offered through Project Step Up, my husband and I became wiser and more wary consumers, and began the long but ultimately successful task of mastering our finances. We went to five classes over the course of the program including one on budgeting, one on grocery shopping, and one which taught us what we need and what we don’t need in terms of purchases.
~Christy, Project Step Up Graduate

Mentoring is an opportunity to share the blessings of time and talent one has been given by God. I quickly realized that I was receiving more back than what I was giving. I learned about the needs of a segment of society that previously was not part of my daily life. New personal relationships were developed. I saw how the goodness of caring people can change the lives of others. I witnessed the excitement and the struggle of individuals in the process of changing their financial habits. I saw the joy when individuals reached their financial goals as well the frustration and sadness that comes with failure. There are few activities in life where you can actually see the results of your efforts. Participation as a mentor in PSU is one of them.
~Bob, Project Step Up Mentor

Nadine, I just would like to tell you how much you have done for us. When I see the cooler temps with rain storms it gives me a scary flashback from last summer when we were out there with no hope in sight. On the street, cold, wet… Very grateful to you for helping us!!!
~SLCS Client