Angel’s Story – One Less Family that is Homeless
“With nowhere to go, my children and I walked to the offices of DuPagePads.
With a lump in my throat, tears in my eyes and my pride in my purse, I told them, ‘I need help.’ ”
A myriad of challenges led Angel to this point. She had been through an abusive marriage, suffered a Pulmonary Embolism, lost her $42,000 a year job and no longer had a place to call home for her and her children. Angel describes her life at that time as being, “downright depressing!”
She knew that there was nowhere else to go but up and reached for a helping hand. Angel says that the staff at DuPagePads was that hand. “They were there to root for me and encourage me to go that extra mile. That type of cheering section helps you face your giants.”
In February 2012, Angel moved into her own apartment. “My case manager greeted us at the door and said, ‘welcome home.’”
Tears welled in Angel’s eyes as she looked around her furnished apartment. “There were bags and bags from my favorite store, Target. They had taken care of every detail big and small, from light bulbs to dishes and everything in between.”
Angel and her children had been doing well till this summer when Angel faced immense pain which called for an Emergency Room visit and immediate surgery. Her son, who had accompanied her in the ambulance, was told by the doctor that he could not stay overnight.
“I was hysterical and with no relatives to call, I contacted my DuPagePads case manager.”
Angel’s case manager showed up to the hospital at 4:30am to pick up her son. Following the surgery, she brought Angel’s children back to visit her and assured them that their mother was going to be okay. Angel says that DuPagePads has “been my rock through this trying time.”
“From cab rides and bus cards to toilet paper and pine-sol or a ride to the grocery store, they do whatever they can to help and to stand in the gap. I had a need and they met that need.
Because of DuPagePads, my children can stay at their school; there is one less family that is homeless, one less child on the streets. There is one less because they cared when everyone else would not.
To my DuPagePads family, words cannot express the gratitude and admiration I have for you! Thank you for never letting go!”
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