Abbey's world changed in an instant. A stage-four lung cancer diagnosis is life-altering enough, but when a car accident left her injured weeks later, her situation became desperate. Medical bills piled up. Her ability to work disappeared. And the threat of eviction loomed as she struggled to pay rent and utilities while undergoing treatment.
But Abbey was not alone. When she reached out to Catholic Charities of New York, she met Joy Willis, a caseworker who would become her advocate and lifeline. Joy listened to Abbey's situation with compassion and took action. She helped Abbey navigate the complex process of applying for emergency rental assistance and utility support—resources Abbey didn't even know existed.
"Joy made me feel like someone cared about my situation," Abbey recalls. "She didn't just give me paperwork and send me away. She sat with me, answered my questions, and helped me through every step." With Joy's support, Abbey received emergency assistance that prevented eviction and kept her utilities on. More importantly, it allowed her to focus on what mattered most during that dark time: her treatment and recovery.
Catholic Charities' emergency assistance program is one of thousands of lifelines available across America. Whether through direct charitable giving, government-funded programs like emergency rental assistance, or partnerships between nonprofits and local governments, organizations are working to ensure that people facing sudden crises—medical emergencies, job loss, accidents—don't lose their homes or go without utilities.
Today, Abbey is cancer-free. She's rebuilding her life, secure in her home, with her utilities stable. And she thinks often of Joy Willis and the system of support that caught her when she was falling. "There are people out there who understand what you're going through," Abbey says. "They want to help. You just have to reach out."