Ashley Mitchell
2/5
Last month, I had a family staying with me who had been evicted due to the primary bread winners inability to work and pay their rent (medical reasons). I contacted Catholic Charities and was given the number of a case manager. We called on a Wednesday and were told there was an opening in the family shelter and that we had called just in time. All documents were submitted by the next day. Then we were informed that the supervisor was on vacation, so placement couldn't happen until the following Monday. When Monday arrived, there was no communication so I texted the case manager. She texted me back and told us there were more families trying to get in and she had no idea when or if placement would be happening. That was the last response we received from Catholic Charities. No updates or additional resources were provided.
This family spent the entire weekend with their hopes up, only to be left completely in the dark. My home wasn't an option for more than a few days, but thank god I was able to find temporary placement for the children and two adults, although they are now separated. I believe it is in poor taste to tell a struggling family they will be placed next week and then never contact them again. Or at least have the courtesy to give them additional resources. Even a simple, "sorry cant help ya" would have been better than what they got. It's disheartening, especially since Catholic Charities is one of the few resources available for the homeless in our area.