Lisa’s Story
My journey with Padua began during a pivotal time in my life. Freshly divorced and moving from Florida to Texas with my three children, I sought stability and a fresh start after a tumultuous relationship.
I grew up in Haiti, where my mother left for America when I was just one year old. Raised by my grandmother, I spent my childhood yearning to join my mother. It took over a decade for that dream to come true. Moving to America was both exciting and daunting. Reuniting with my mom after 15 years was bittersweet—we were practically strangers. Our relationship took time to grow, but eventually, we became best friends.
I met my ex-husband shortly after the birth of my first son. We had a whirlwind romance, but after we married, he changed. I always yearned for a stable family life, something I lacked growing up. My mom was in America, and my dad was distant. I wanted my children to have what I didn’t, so I stayed in an abusive relationship, despite knowing it wasn’t right. I was financially dependent on him, with no job or money of my own.
The breaking point came when my oldest son told me he felt unsafe. Realizing the harm staying in the relationship was causing, I fled to a domestic violence shelter with my children, and, eventually, we moved to Texas to be closer to family. I began the process of rebuilding my life.
When I started with Padua, I was navigating the aftermath of my divorce and adjusting to life in a new state. It was overwhelming, with no job lined up and fears about providing for my children. Taelor, my Navigator, became a lifeline. She listened, understood, and believed in me when I could barely see a path forward. I often called her my guardian angel.
With Padua’s support, I found stability, first with a job and then with a home. But Padua was more than just finding a job and a house; it was about rebuilding my confidence and dreams. I rediscovered my passion for event planning and catering, something I’d always loved but never pursued as a career. With Padua’s encouragement, I enrolled in culinary arts training and began building my own business.
Padua also provided crucial support in securing counseling for both me and my son. Before Padua, I felt frustrated and helpless. My son’s emotional struggles during happy moments puzzled me, and despite my efforts and prayers, nothing seemed to help. I was desperate for him to be okay and felt like I was failing him. Talking to a counselor helped me see the situation more clearly. During the intake process, as I recounted what my son had been through, I broke down in tears. It was a moment of realization that I hadn’t fully appreciated the depth of his struggles.
Counseling taught me to empathize with his experience and understand that my frustration was with the situation, not him. This new understanding helped me support him better and manage my own frustrations. I realized that emotional challenges are deeper than surface-level solutions. Padua’s support was essential in transforming our approach and helping us heal.
This fall, I’m taking another big step—starting classes at Tarrant County College to pursue a degree in Hospitality Management. It’s a chance to further my education and pursue a dream I’ve had for years. With Padua’s support and my determination, it’s finally within reach.
This year, I was hired to plan my first wedding. It wasn’t just about designing an amazing event; it was a full circle moment, marking my journey from a young girl in Haiti to a single mother rebuilding her life in Texas. An accomplishment that wouldn’t have been possible without the support of Catholic Charities.
The journey wasn’t easy. There were setbacks and moments of doubt, but Padua was there every step of the way. Looking forward, I see a future where my children grow up in a stable home, my business thrives, and I continue to pursue my dreams. Reflecting on my journey, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the support. Even though I moved to Texas to be closer to family, the Catholic Charities team were my biggest supporters, like angels sent from heaven.
As the head of my household, having the support, tools, and resources from Catholic Charities enabled me to provide for my kids and be there for them. When I’m doing well, my kids are doing well. When I’m struggling, they struggle too. Catholic Charities made all the difference in our lives.