Catholic Charities Daybreak Center is the largest homeless shelter in Will County. In 2009, over 46,000 nights of shelter were provided at all of our shelters.
Meet Andrea. Andrea and her husband were living with and caring for her elderly mother. After her mother passed away, the couple planned to move back to the Joliet area to be with family. Sadly, Andrea’s husband died suddenly and she found herself back in Joliet living with an aunt. After a short stay it was clear that Andrea was not welcomed there so at 7:00 p.m. on a cold evening in early spring she showed up at the doors of Daybreak Center.
Andrea had a high school education, but very few skills. Her husband had always provided for her and she never dreamed that she would have to go to work. She not only stayed in the warm and welcoming shelter, but she ate hot, nutritious meals at Shepherd’s Table, the soup kitchen in the shelter, and spent hours in the shelter’s Employment Center learning new skills, writing a resume and practicing phone etiquette.
Today Andrea is looking forward to moving out on her own. She got a job and is saving her money for a security deposit. Above all, Andrea said she has made some life-long friends with the staff at Daybreak. “They gave me hope and never judged me,” Andrea said. “I feel alive again because of them,” she added.
Meet Marcus. Marcus is a 37-year-old man struggling with alcohol addiction. He has been sober for four months. He came to Catholic Charities Daybreak Center after losing his job in construction. He didn’t save any money for “that rainy day” and like so many people today, he lived paycheck to paycheck.
Despite losing his job Marcus stayed sober and strong. He spends most of his day looking for a new job and feels hopeful that something good is on the horizon. Marcus has learned to better manage his money and has also regularly attended AA meetings. He also attends the Out of Poverty classes where he learned that poverty is not just about lack of money, it’s about a lack of spirit.
Marcus also helps around the shelter and as a result has earned some “Daybreak Dollars” that he plans to use for a new pair of construction boots. “I like helping out around here. Daybreak gave me a second chance so it’s the least I can do to say thanks,” Marcus said.