Love is Inventive, Even to Infinity

Sometimes, people hesitate to ask for help, even when they need it most. That was the case with a father who St. Louis Resource Services (StLRS) recently assisted. After he lost his job in December 2023, he struggled to find stability while caring for three young children and facing homelessness. Despite feeling overwhelmed, he hesitated to apply for benefits. His partner encouraged him to seek help, and when he finally did, I had the privilege of guiding him through the process.

When he reached out, it was clear that asking for help wasn’t easy for him. He shared that he was homeless, staying with family whenever he could, and had been unable to find work for months. Though applying for benefits made him uneasy, his partner knew they needed support to feed their kids. I reassured him that no one should feel ashamed to seek assistance—that’s exactly why these programs exist. I guided him through the CalFresh application, making sure he understood each step.

Shortly after he submitted his application, he received a call and learned that he had been approved. Not long after, he sent me a message that nearly brought me to tears: "Thank you, Araceli, for all your help. Que Dios te bendiga. Thanks to your help, we got approved for CalFresh, and now we can provide food for our kids. Thank you again for everything."

Reading his message, I felt immense gratitude. Knowing his children would have food filled me with joy, and his partner felt a weight lift, no longer worrying about their next meal. Beyond food assistance, I also referred him to other services that could support his family. I’ll follow up soon to check on their progress and see if there’s anything else I can do.

This experience reminded me why I do this work. Sometimes, all it takes is a little encouragement and guidance to help someone take that first step. Love finds a way to lift people up, even in the toughest times.