Susana was facing an overwhelming series of challenges. She is a single mother of three children ages 8, 12, and 15 and had always worked hard to support her family. However, ongoing health complications worsened over time, leaving her unable to work and struggling with mobility.
In October 2025, Susana was hospitalized for scheduled surgery, but complications extended her stay for over two weeks, which further impacted her financial stability. With no child support and limited income, she quickly fell behind on essential expenses. By December, she received a 3-day eviction notice, owing one month of rent with another month approaching, along with a large PG&E bill. At the same time, she was unable to transport her children to school due to her physical limitations, which made things even more difficult for her.
Jeanette, Catholic Charities of East Bay Housing Case Manager, was able to conduct a home visit with Susana to complete the intake process and gather the necessary documents because she was using a wheelchair and it would have been difficult for her to come to our office. Catholic Charities stepped in to help stabilize the family by providing two months of rental assistance to prevent eviction. Her children were also connected to school bus services so they can get to school regularly and were provided bikes for Christmas to bring some joy during a difficult time.
With this support in place, Susana and her family are now in a more stable position. She continues focusing on her recovery while making sure her children stay connected to school, healthcare and therapy services. This support helped turn a moment of crisis into a path toward stability and hope.
