Your donations to RHAF do make a difference…

Recently, the Association’s not-for-profit homeless charity, the REALTOR® Housing Assistance Fund (RHAF) allocated $100,000 to 18 charities in the St. Louis metro area. These funds are used to help provide important programs and services, including stabilization, education, housing, and more, to those who are homeless. RHAF’s goal is to raise $100,000 annually to continue the on-going assistance to local charities who support the homeless and the abused,  with the hope of eventually ending the plight of homelessness.

The narrative below is a heartwarming story from one of the 2006 grant recipients, Our Lady’s Inn. RHAF will continue to spotlight these extraordinary organizations in upcoming issues of the REALTOR® Report, so you can see how your donations have changed the lives of many St. Louisans.

Shari’s Story

I arrived on a sunny November day, scared and pregnant, with only a few belongings to my name, not knowing what I was going to do…

I had no car, no job and no money. I was seven months pregnant with my second son. My family was unable to help me and brought me to Our Lady’s Inn (OLI). The moment my family and I pulled up to the Our Lady’s Inn building and saw all the beautiful flowers surrounding it, I felt as safe as I did at my Grandmother’s house as a child. Mary L., the OLI Program Director, welcomed me in with open arms and explained what Our Lady’s Inn was all about – that they could get me started on a program to help me get myself back on my feet, and provide me wit the tools necessary to achieve the goals that I set for myself, and that it was up to me what I did with hose tools.

When I started my program, I was still scared and lost as to where to begin. Denise, the OLI Therapist, helped me work through some of the personal problems that were affecting me and helped me to get my bipolar disorder under control, through therapy and medication prescribed by my psychiatrist. The staff also helped me to get the resources that I needed to find employment.

Our Lady’s Inn provided me with a lot of information that I have been using in trying to get my own business started. They brought in speakers and information on classes and resources available to me. After I stopped working, I started to sew baby clothes to help pass the time. With the encouragement of the staff, I have started to lay the groundwork for my business. When I told them that this is what I wanted to do, they helped me to get the materials and resources I needed to work towards accomplishing this goal.

When I came to Our Lady’s Inn, my older son stayed with my mother, so he could finish the school year with his friends. My family lives about an hour south of St. Louis. Anytime I needed to do something for him or my family, Our Lady’s Inn helped me to work out a solution. Anytime my older son wanted to come and stay with me, he was welcomed, just as I was, with open arms. Everyone at OLI loved him and was so kind to him. He loved to come and visit me. On one visit, we decided to go to the zoo and were given tickets to ride the train and go to the butterfly house. We had a great time!

When I gave birth to my baby son, I found out I had a chronic blood disorder. The nurses at Our Lady’s Inn helped me get information on staying healthy and what to do to make sure that my boys did not get it, too. I was having trouble finding work, and Sr. Susan, OLI Family Specialist, helped me to find employment. When I found out that I would be getting a car, Mary helped me get my driver’s license. The staff and volunteers of Our Lady’s Inn are wonderful! Anytime I had a question, problem, or just needed to talk, they were there to listen. One particular volunteer, Sr. Leo Ann Bub, will always have a special place in my heart.

I know that the AfterCare Program at Our Lady’s Inn is only two years, but I have been given a new family that will last me a lifetime. The day I left Our Lady’s Inn was a wonderful, but sad, day. They helped me get into a transitional housing program.

I was happy to be getting my own place, but was sad because I was leaving my new family at Our Lady’s Inn. Mary personally helped me to move my belongings. And, believe it or not, I had a house full of stuff to move, because of all the things Our Lady’s Inn had given me during my stay there. They even gave me a crib for the baby.

I am now living in my own two-bedroom apartment, about five minutes from my mom, and working full time managing the front desk of a reputable hotel, currently making my way to the Guest Services Manager position. I am also attending college, working toward my Associates Degree in Business Management. I am looking forward to buying my first home this spring.

When I first came to Our Lady’s Inn, I never thought these things would be possible and now I am living my dream. I have not accomplished all the goals I have set for myself, but with the continued support of my friends and family, I will. Thank you to Our Lady’s Inn for everything that you have and continue to do for my family and me!

For more information on how you can help make a difference, contact Connie Chartier or Casie Rentel at (314) 576-0033.