Cristian shared his moving story with guests at the 2017 Spirit of East Harlem gala.  Below is the speech he shared.

When I arrived in this country, I lived in Queens with my wife and our four children.  Unfortunately, my wife suffers from mental health problems. She began to abuse me verbally and physically and even threatened me.  I was very afraid and left home with my children.

For 8 very difficult days we lived in a shelter in the Bronx.  Then we moved into a family shelter.  They gave us emergency food and other help, but in a few days the food they gave us ran out, my children were hungry, and I didn’t have work or money for food. 

I spent hours thinking, crying.  One day I found a paper with information about Little Sisters of the Assumption pantry.  When I walked through the doors, they greeted me warmly.  They made me an appointment and gave me an emergency bag of food to feed my family.   I do not know if you know what that represents for a person who comes to your doors looking help.  I returned to the shelter with new inspiration. On my next visit to Little Sisters, they made an appointment for me to meet with an immigration lawyer. They invited me to support groups and even gave me vouchers to buy clothes. At that moment, I felt that a great weight was lifted from me. I felt that my problems and my situation were not mine alone, that someone wanted to help me. Little Sisters helped me in so many ways, they even gave me a turkey so that I could cook my first Thanksgiving dinner for my children. 

Soon I started volunteering at Little Sisters.  I came to understand that the purpose of life is to serve, love and help others.  I was assigned to volunteer only a few hours a week, but I felt so good about myself, that I came back every day.  Eventually, I was hired and made part of this wonderful family.

Today, with much pride and on behalf of my children, I want to say THANK YOU LITTLE SISTERS FAMILY HEALTH SERVICE.  My family and I will always be grateful.

To support our health, education and family support programs, make a tax-deductible donation today.  Your contribution will make an immediate difference for families in our programs.

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Though he started volunteering this fall, he’s not new to LSA.  In fact, as a graduate of LSA’s nursing and early childhood programs, Jonathan has been a part of the LSA family since his birth!

Jonathan’s mother, Alva, first came to LSA for nursing care when she was pregnant with Jonathan.  Our nurses helped ensure that she remained healthy throughout her pregnancy and after Jonathan was born.  Alva enrolled Jonathan in our early childhood parenting program and was actively involved in LSA’s parent groups.  With the help of LSA, Alva took ESL and GED classes.  Eventually, she even started working with LSA to provide childcare for children while parents attended special workshops.

Although it was a long time ago, Jonathan still remembers coming to LSA with his mom. “I used to come hang out with my friends,” he says.  “I feel comfortable around here because everyone knows me, and I can just be myself.”

Today, Jonathan is a successful student.  He likes math and wants to pursue a career in technology.  We are proud to have a graduate of our programs giving back to the LSA community and wish Jonathan a world of success!

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Photo by Micah Rubin.

The post Jonathan’s Story appeared first on LSA Family Health Service.

“Cockroaches scurry across the walls and floor. Elizabeth has tried to get rid of them, but they keep coming back—through the electric outlets and from under the sink, where leaking pipes create a black sludge. Her floor is wet, her walls damp and moldy. Garbage bags stacked in the living room keep the family’s possessions dry. Despite multiple complaints, no work has been done to make things better.”

That is how a National Geographic reporter described Elizabeth’s apartment in a recent article about Asthma in East Harlem.

Elizabeth and her three children all have asthma, made worse by asthma triggers in their home that she has not been able to control on her own – mold, moisture, and roaches.

“I’m happy to have a roof over my head, but this apartment is keeping us sick,” Elizabeth told reporters.

That’s where LSA came in.

LSA’s Environmental Health Services team helped remove some of the mold, loaned her an air filter, and showed her ways to improve the air quality in her apartment.  We also helped her work with her landlord to get much needed repairs.

With LSA’s help, Elizabeth’s family is on their way to having a safe and healthy home.

Join us in helping more families like Elizabeth’s!
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The post Elizabeth’s Story appeared first on LSA Family Health Service.