SUCCESS STORIES

 This past year alone, twenty-five moms and sixtyfive children have called McAuley Village home.
And with the support of our partners Sojourner House, Children’s Friend, and others, we are unified in helping these women set goals for building their housing and financial independence. As such, one of our sharpest areas of focus at the Village is ensuring our moms receive the education and coaching that removes barriers to gainful employment. We do this through our flagship McAuley Works program. Most recently, we have added a Customer Solutions Training program to McAuley Works. The module provides more than 50 hours of instruction at McAuley Village, delivered by gifted educators from CCRI, who instruct their ‘students’ in essential professionalism and soft skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office, customer service best practices,
and call center structure. Additionally, as part of the curriculum, representatives from local businesses such as AAA and Amica offered insight on the roles available in their companies, and Leadership RI alumni did practice interviews with our moms. There were also sessions that connected the mothers with opportunities at CCRI to earn degrees and certificates in healthcare and general education, including the BRIDGE program, which prepares adult learners to return to the classroom. We are already planning a second session this winter and are looking to expand participation to those served by our partner nonprofits. McAuley Village and CCRI were able to offer these uplifting educational opportunities thanks to the Leadership RI Sigma II Class that introduced our Executive Director to the college’s Industry Partnership Program. It was the foresight of CCRI to include McAuley Village in a grant from the RI Department of Labor and Training to fund the school’s involvement.

Funding for McAuley Works also includes sustaining support from the Papitto Opportunity Connection, which facilitates salary support for staff and financial assistance to students for childcare, transportation, emergency expenses, and more. We are eternally grateful to our community of supporters who help to provide the resources our Village moms need to achieve their personal goals and realize a bright future for their families.

“The day I received the call that I had been accepted into the McAuley Village program was the happiest day of my life. I was a single mom for the first 18 months of my son’s life before we moved in with his dad. Soon after, he began to be physically abusive with me and unkind to our son. One day, I made the decision to leave with my son and just the clothes on my back. Luckily, my cousin took me in and we spent months sleeping in her parlor. During that time, I found out I was pregnant and had my daughter. I will always be grateful to my cousin. Eventually, the landlord told my cousin we had to leave—we were homeless.

I had been able to find a full-time job and was able to pay for a motel while trying to find an apartment I could afford. Money was tight, and I was days away from having to sleep in the car when I was invited to come live at the Village. I am so very grateful to McAuley Village and everyone that works there. Thanks to them, I was able to keep my job, find quality childcare for my daughter, and register my son in a new school and the Boys and Girls Club after-school program. When I moved into the Village in the fall of 2017, I had no idea where to begin, but they knew exactly how to connect me with resources. My van was breaking down and the Village helped me with repairs so I could get to work. They helped me learn about finances and budgeting, and thanks to them I was able to save money, enough for a security deposit, first month’s rent, and a moving van for when I move into permanent housing.

But the greatest gift McAuley Village gave me was a safe and loving place for my children. While I was struggling to get on my feet and make a better life for my family, my children had a home, with friends and lots of people who cared for them. During the holidays, they went to parties and were showered with gifts. In the spring, they received new sneakers and clothes for the summer.

With the help of Janette, the housing advocate, I was selected to receive a housing voucher and I am now searching for a new home, hopefully in northern Rhode Island. I can never thank everyone enough for all they have done for us! The day we move out will be the saddest and happiest day for my little family. I’ll be saying goodbye to a wonderful place, and saying hello to a new life and a new home.” – Bernadette

Soly, a 24-year-old woman, showed up at McAuley House with her infant daughter in her arms and her husband and brother-in-law by her side. They drove to Rhode Island from Pennsylvania, leaving three other children behind with their grandmother as Soly’s husband, Robert, and his brother were promised jobs in jewelry manufacturing.

When the men arrived at the employer, they were told they needed a BCI (Bureau of Criminal Identification) background check to begin working; but they had no extra money or means to secure the paperwork. The family also needed a place to sleep, but found no room in local shelters and a waiting list of 8-weeks.

With no place to go, the family spent nights in their car until they found McAuley House.