A short time ago, Mark came into Catholic Charities and donated several clothing bags that included new shoes, socks, and pants. Mark is very familiar with Catholic Charities. Seven years ago, he was a nightly patron at the House of Charity.

Mark had fallen on hard times and lost his job, which led to homelessness. While at HOC, Mark worked closely with a case manager helped him apply for housing. On the day he turned 62, he was able to find a safe home that he still lives in today. When he moved in, Mark did not have any home goods or furniture. “I slept on the floor with nothing, but I was just grateful to have a place to call my own,” he said. “I didn’t have a stick of furniture, not a pan to cook with, nothing.” When he told his case manager this, she jumped in to help provide a bed, table, chairs, and cookware—everything to make this house a home.

Today, Mark is battling cancer, but says House of Charity is still by his side. With two rounds of chemotherapy and 25 rounds of radiation left to get through, Mark has a volunteer driver from House of Charity who picks him up from his home, waits for his appointment to finish, and takes him back home. Mark said he is currently doing very well and said, “I just don’t know where I would be without Catholic Charities. Your work is amazing, and I am so thankful for all of you. I just wanted to give back in some way and say thank you for everything you have done for me.”

From all of us at Catholic Charities, we thank YOU, Mark, for being an inspiration to everyone you came in contact with that day.