From Motel Living to Stability

A New Beginning After Tragedy
When Lucas and Idris Cartwright lost their home in a devastating fire, their lives changed overnight. Suddenly displaced, the family of four found themselves living in a motel, struggling to maintain a sense of normalcy for their two daughters while searching for a way forward.
For months, the Cartwright family faced uncertainty each day. Temporary housing costs quickly added up, and affordable housing options were difficult to find.  At the same time, Idris was battling serious health challenges. Diagnosed with a genetic kidney disease, she required regular dialysis treatments and was eventually placed on the transplant list. Unable to work due to her condition, the family relied solely on Lucas’s income to cover motel expenses, food, medical needs, and daily living costs. “It felt like we were trying to survive one day at a time,” the family shared.  Despite working full-time, Lucas struggled to keep up with the overwhelming financial burden of extended motel living. That’s when St. Vincent de Paul Georgia stepped in through the Motel to Home Program.

Working closely with the Cartwright family, SVdP volunteers helped them transition from the motel into a safe and affordable home in Lawrenceville. The program assisted with move-in costs and provided additional rental support, giving the family the stability they desperately needed to begin rebuilding their lives.  Once settled into their new home, Lucas continued working full-time while Idris focused on her recovery and caring for their daughters. Although managing expenses on a single income remains challenging, the family continues to move forward with faith, determination, and hope.  Idris hopes to return to work once her doctors clear her medically, and together they are taking steady steps toward long-term stability.

Today, the Cartwright family is rebuilding their lives in Gwinnett County. While they are not yet fully self-sufficient, St. Vincent de Paul Georgia continues to walk alongside them — helping them maintain housing stability, meet basic needs, and regain confidence for the future.  What began as a season of crisis has become a journey of resilience, healing, and hope — made possible through compassion and community support.