“At Catholic Charities, they look for a way to help people.”
When Ramona’s husband suffered a serious injury and was hospitalized, the loss of his income devastated their family’s already fragile stability. Ramona worked when she could, cleaning houses to support their four children. Their eldest son is unable to walk or speak and experiences frequent seizures — and carrying him had already caused Ramona back injuries of her own.
With mounting medical uncertainties and limited income, the family fell behind on their rent and struggled to put food on the table. As eviction approached, Ramona feared she might lose the home her children depended on.
A caring friend, moved by her situation, encouraged her to reach out to Catholic Charities East Bay.
Ramona was connected with Jeanette, a caring and knowledgeable housing case manager. “She listened to me with so much empathy,” Ramona recalls. “At Catholic Charities, they look for a way to help people.”
Jeanette worked with the family to secure emergency rental assistance, food support, and access to crucial resources that would help them stabilize.
“Despite everything they’re facing, Ramona always comes back to the same goal,” says Jeanette. “She wants to be strong and move forward. She wants her children to have a good education and to be successful.”
Ramona’s dream is shared by so many families we meet — hardworking neighbors who persevere through difficulties but can’t absorb the shock of an unexpected injury or crisis.
