Hope For Julia

At Catholic Charities, we help men, women, and children who come from a variety of different backgrounds and struggles, all in need of help and hope – all living in fear. Julia was no different when she came to Catholic Charities.

Julia's earliest memories involved witnessing her mother's daily drug use. During her childhood, Julia was removed from her mother’s custody on multiple occasions, only to hear endless promises that her mother would get clean – but it never lasted long. The cycle repeated itself until, at age 17, Julia decided she was tired of dealing with her mother's drug use and the havoc that it was wreaking on her life. 

Julia moved in with her aunt, who recently had become a new mother. With no guarantees of how long she would be able to stay, Julia was grateful for the escape even if it would be short-lived.

Shortly after turning 18, Julia found herself pregnant by a man who no longer wanted anything to do with her or their unborn child. As she reached the final term of her pregnancy, Julia’s aunt became pregnant with her second child and told Julia there was no longer room for her. Homeless, afraid, and nearing the end of her pregnancy, Julia came to St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities for help.

Despite the many struggles she had faced, Julia was able to maintain excellent grades and graduate as an honor student from her high school. But because her mother had never paid book fees, Julia faced the embarrassment and disappointment of not being allowed to graduate with her class. Despite getting a job, she had no clothing, bedding, or supplies to take care of her new baby. Julia felt hopeless and afraid. 

But Catholic Charities would soon provide help and create hope for Julia that changed the future for her and her newborn child. Thanks to a recent grant from the Zonta Foundation, Julia received financial assistance to pay her book fees in time; and through generous donations within the community, Julia was also given the necessary supplies she needed to care for her baby.
In May, Julia graduated with honors and now has what she needs to care for herself and her baby. She has also begun personal counseling to deal with the issues of her past. Julia is excited about what the future has to hold for herself and her baby thanks to the hope that was created by Catholic Charities.