William had been out of work for a few months after the glass company he worked at for 4 years suddenly shut down. Eager to get back on his feet, he was excited to have just landed a new job as a caretaker for seniors. But shortly before he was supposed to start, he was robbed. His wallet, containing his Social Security card, birth certificate, state ID, and bus pass, was stolen. Without identification, he couldn’t begin the job.
The timing couldn’t have been worse. The agency that hired him was willing to hold the position, but only for so long. He was under high pressure to submit his documents before they had to move on and offer the role to someone else.
Fortunately, Hayde, a CK Empowerment Coach, stepped in to support. Our Empowerment Coaches provide personalized case management to help guests navigate challenges, stabilize their lives, and connect with critical resources. She helped William navigate the long, complicated process of replacing his documents, guiding him through multiple applications. Together, they worked diligently to get everything done. We had his replacements securely mailed to CK so they wouldn’t get lost. As soon as they arrived, Hayde made copies for him, so he wouldn’t have to go through the same ordeal again if something happened in the future. “She did everything to make sure I was set this time,” William said.
The documents came in at just the right time. William was finally able to start his new job—and now, about two months into the role, he loves it. “I’m the type of person who can’t be out of work,” he said. His determination kept him going, even during the hardest moments.
Though William works hard to pay his rent and bills, he relies on Cathedral Kitchen for meals and a little extra support to make ends meet. He’s been coming to CK for about a year and working with Hayde for the past 4–5 months. “I like everything here,” he said. “I love the food; it’s always consistent. The people here are always nice and have a lot of patience.”
Thanks to his perseverance, and the help he received along the way, we are happy to see William back on his feet.
