By Nicole, Thrive Life Skills Facilitator
When I first met Tom in January 2025, he was living in his truck during one of the coldest parts of the year. He came to Catholic Charities hoping for something simple—a gas card to help him stay warm while he waited for a decision on his disability application. Although he wasn't formally employed, he was doing everything he could to survive, earning what income he could by collecting and scrapping metal.
As we talked, it became clear that Tom wasn't just looking for temporary assistance. He wanted the opportunity to build a different future.
During our first conversation, we discussed the Thrive Life Skills Program, a 10-week course designed to help participants strengthen the practical and personal skills needed for healthy relationships and long-term stability. Technically, Tom didn't meet the eligibility requirements because he was experiencing homelessness and was still in crisis. But his determination stood out. We believed he was ready to invest in himself, so we welcomed him into the program.
Before classes even began, Tom completed a Coordinated Entry Assessment to begin his housing journey. He also enrolled in the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), where he quickly started training and earning a paycheck.
Throughout the Thrive course, I watched Tom embrace every opportunity to grow. One of the biggest breakthroughs came as he reflected on how past struggles with authority had affected his employment. Rather than becoming discouraged, he used those insights to make meaningful changes that helped him build healthier relationships in the workplace. Tom graudated from the course in Spring 2025.
Then life dealt him an unimaginable loss.
During the program, Tom's daughter passed away after a serious illness. It would have been understandable if grief had caused him to step away from his goals. Instead, he leaned into the support around him, continued attending class, and kept moving forward one day at a time.
By the summer of 2025, Tom reached a milestone he had once wondered if he would ever achieve—he moved into his own apartment.
Today, Tom remains engaged with SCSEP and continues checking in with Catholic Charities, not because he is in crisis, but because he values the relationships that helped him get where he is today.
His story reminds me that transformation rarely happens overnight. Sometimes it begins with something as small as a gas card, grows through encouragement and opportunity, and ultimately leads to a life rebuilt with dignity, purpose, and hope.