We often say that those we serve give to us more than we could ever give to them, and Loretta is one of our precious friends who has done just that. We first met Loretta a year and a half ago when she came to us seeking shelter, unable to find work after an out-of-state move and an illness. While she stayed in our Open Door Women’s Center, she worked hard with our advocates to obtain housing and find healing.
Later that year, Loretta began as an employee of Pauls’ Moms’ Cookies. Through this part-time work, Loretta was able to receive an income while she searched for a job in her profession, home healthcare. Because she worked hard to stay focused, Loretta was able to move into her own apartment in October of 2017!
We celebrate with Loretta, as she has since found a career as a home health aide and is receiving a stable income. Although she is now independent and no longer in need of our services, she comes back once a week to volunteer her time to bake Pauls’ Moms’ Cookies. When asked why she volunteers, she says, “It’s giving back. I would always do what I can to help Dégagé because of all they have done for me.”
We are so thankful for Loretta and the others who come back to serve because of their love for the ministry and our community. Loretta says, “I really like the staff here because they treat people just like people, not like they’re lower because of their housing situation.” She now displays that same dignity and respect as a volunteer, giving us more than we could ever give in return.
By Molly Hilbert, Development Assistant
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