At Hands of The Carpenter (Hands), we have had the privilege of working with Marcelle, a strong and determined mother who has overcome significant challenges to create a better life for herself and her two teenage boys.
When Marcelle first came to us, she was in a difficult situation. She had recently left a domestic violence relationship and was living in a shelter with her two boys while also overcoming substance abuse. Despite these challenges, Marcelle was determined to create a better life for herself and her family.
Marcelle worked with our partner organization, Beyond Home, to acquire safe and stable housing. However, Marcelle still faced challenges when it came to transportation. Her 2007 Dodge Charger needed repairs that were too costly for her to manage, and she was without transportation for some time. This made it difficult for her to get her children to and from school and impacted her ability to find and maintain employment.
Through the Lift UP vehicle placement program, we were able to provide Marcelle with a reliable 2007 Nissan Altima. However, the process was not without its challenges. Just as Marcelle was approved for the program, her employer shut down and she lost her job. But Marcelle remained determined and secured a new job, sending us paystubs for two months to demonstrate her ability to manage car ownership.
Finally, on July 22, 2022, Marcelle was able to acquire her Altima, which brought immense joy and relief to her and her family. With the support of Hands and Beyond Home, Marcelle has been able to create a stable and safe home for her family, and her two boys are excelling in school. Their dreams to attend MIT or Stanford are alive.
Marcelle’s story is a testament to the resilience and strength of the human spirit. We at Hands of The Carpenter are grateful to have played a small part in her journey and remain committed to supporting those in our community who are in need of safe and reliable transportation.
