A Place to Call Home

Melinda is a 51-year-old disabled veteran and breast cancer survivor who was transitioning out of Mary Hall Freedom House’s veterans temporary housing program. Upon coming out of temporary housing, Mary had already been approved for a Section 8 rental assistance program (for disabled veterans).

Melinda is the primary caregiver for her two daughters, Jewel, who is 14-years-old and Shamiya, who is 15. The family was eager to get to their new house and finally have a stable place to live. Though things were looking up, the family was moving in without any furniture or help, and resources were limited since there was a COVID-19 Shelter in Pace order for the State of Georgia.

Once the St. Vincent de Paul Conference at St. Andrews learned about Melinda’s situation, they partnered with a neighboring SVdP Conference at Saint Jude’s who operates a small furniture bank, to obtain furniture for the family, as well as a moving truck and volunteers to help move them in safely.  

St. Vincent de Paul Georgia was able to furnish the family’s new home with three beds and mattresses, dressers, nightstands, lamps, a sofa, kitchen table, desk, pots & pans, dishes, kitchen utensils and linens, to truly make their new house feel like a home. The value of the furniture and labor provided to this family was well over $2,000, but the glimpse of hope and love they received was invaluable.