Victoria’s Story
Not long ago, I was lost—trapped in addiction, living on the streets, disconnected from everyone who once cared about me.
Then, I found out I was pregnant.
I had been sober for a year, but I had nowhere to go. I was staying with a friend from church, but her home wasn’t safe for a baby, and I was days away from being homeless.
I searched everywhere for help—maternity homes, sober living programs—but they required money I didn’t have. I applied to every program I could find, only to be told I didn’t qualify or to receive no response at all. I was running out of time and the thought of my newborn sleeping in the backseat of my car instead of a crib shattered me.
Then, by the grace of God, I found Catholic Charities Fort Worth’s Gabriel Project.
From the moment I made that first call, everything changed. For the first time in a long time, I felt like someone truly cared.
The first thing Catholic Charities did was make sure I had a safe place to bring my baby home. They helped me secure temporary housing so I wouldn’t be homeless when I gave birth. That alone was life-changing.
But Catholic Charities did far more. They made sure I had food, diapers, wipes, formula, and clothing—so I never had to wonder how I would provide for my son.
They helped me with gas cards and car repairs so I could get to doctor’s appointments and, later, to job interviews.
Most importantly, they gave me the knowledge and tools to build stability. They worked with me on budgeting—something I had never learned before. I had always lived day-to-day, just trying to survive, but they helped me see where my money was going and how to start saving. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t just reacting to crisis—I was planning for the future.
And then I met Jane, my Gabriel Project Angel.
The moment she hugged me, I knew she truly cared. After so many doors closed in my face, it was hard to trust that anyone wanted to help. But Jane’s embrace felt different. It felt like the Holy Spirit wrapped around me—like I was finally safe.
Jane didn’t just offer help—she walked beside me. When it was time to move from temporary housing into a stable home, she and her husband came to help me pack. I was days away from giving birth, and they didn’t let me lift a thing. They took care of everything without hesitation, without judgment.
At a time when I felt most vulnerable, Catholic Charities showed up for me in ways I had never experienced before.
I can say without a doubt—if not for Catholic Charities, I would have lost Otis. And if I had lost Otis, I would have lost my sobriety, too.
Today, I have more than two years of sobriety, and my life is completely different.
I have a savings account for the first time. I’m employed and active in my church. I’m working toward finishing my GED and enrolling in college
Stability was never something I knew—poverty and struggle felt normal. Catholic Charities didn’t just help me escape crisis; they equipped me to stay out. They showed me that stability isn’t about scraping by—it’s about planning, making smart choices, and creating a future where Otis never has to experience what I did. I refuse to let poverty define his life.
Currently, I am saving money to buy a home—something I never imagined would be possible for me. I’m going to finish my GED and then enroll at Hill College. I know education is my key to stability, and I want to use everything I’ve learned through Catholic Charities to create a better future for my family.
And Otis? He’s growing fast. He’s starting to walk, and now I’m chasing him around the house. He sleeps surrounded by his toys, safe and happy—things that once felt so out of reach for me.
I know I still have challenges ahead. Life doesn’t always go as planned. But I hold on to Jeremiah 29:11:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
I trust in God’s plans for me, knowing that I wouldn’t be here today without Him. Without Him, I wouldn’t have found Catholic Charities and I wouldn’t have had another chance to be a mother.
Thank you, Catholic Charities, for believing in me. Thank you for helping me build a future I can be proud of—not just for myself, but for my son.