The Fall/Winter 2025 issue of The Journey, the biannual newsletter of Joseph & Mary’s Home, features a cover article about Angelica, a widow who experienced homelessness and came to Joseph & Mary’s Home to heal after living outside left her with frostbite on her feet. The newsletter also features the a special message from Sisters of Charity Health System President and CEO Michael Goar, good news about the recent #weGIVECATHOLIC campaign, a donor spotlight on Dr. Srinivas Merugu, a recap from this summer’s Joseph’s Home Blessing and the Perseverance In Hope Luncheon, information on the Sr. Joan Gallagher, CSA, Endowment Fund, news updates, and more.
Below is the text from the cover story. Read the complete newsletter here.
Standing Firm on Solid Ground
Abundance of Love, Kindness and Respect Puts Angelica on Path to Stable Housing
For 18 months, Angelica lived in bus stops and parks in Cleveland’s western suburbs.
This lack of stable housing was a new experience for her. Originally from Colombia, Angelica was working in New York more than 30 years ago when she met her future husband, a Cleveland native.
They married and moved to Cleveland. He ran his own business, and Angelica worked as a housekeeper, dental assistant and seamstress.
Life took a turn for the worse in 2017 when her husband’s business went bankrupt. He passed away a few years later. Angelica had to give up the house and moved into a much smaller apartment. She worked as many hours as possible at Amazon while attempting to manage a schizophrenia diagnosis on her own.
Although she liked her work, Angelica decided to open her own small business. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out. She soon fell behind on her apartment rent and was eventually asked to leave. For the first time, in her mid- 50s, Angelica found herself experiencing homelessness.
She tried to stay shielded from the harsh outdoor elements, but it was impossible to escape the cold and snow last winter. Her feet became frozen and were in bad shape. With the help of good Samaritans, Angelica went to the hospital for frostbite treatment. “I’m not sure how I survived; God was with me. I don’t think I could have made it through another winter outside,” she said.
After time in the hospital, Angelica entered a rehab facility. It was there she met Sr. Catherine Walsh, CSA, who volunteers at Joseph & Mary’s Home and is a board member. Sr. Catherine was at the rehab visiting a former Joseph & Mary’s Home resident.
Angelica was referred to Joseph & Mary’s Home following her own rehab stay. The connection she originally made with Sr. Catherine continued to build. “We spoke to one another in Spanish and did exercises together,” said Sr. Catherine. “She would teach me a new exercise and vice versa; we laughed a lot.”
During the nearly five months she lived at Joseph & Mary’s Home, Angelica said she often thought of the word ‘abundance.’ “There is always an abundance of food, toiletries and clothing,” she said. “I felt an abundance of love, kindness and respect from everyone.”
The social worker, community health worker and nurse helped her navigate renewing her state identification card and obtaining a bus pass. With their guidance, Angelica applied for and was granted Social Security survivor benefits. They also made sure she went to doctor’s appointments and took her medication regularly.
Joseph & Mary’s Home allowed Angelica to heal. “I had my physical, emotional and spiritual needs met at Joseph & Mary’s Home,” she said. “I had a place to rest; a bed to sleep in; a shower with hot water. I was able to contribute by cleaning and watering the garden as part of my recovery. I was able to take responsibility for my own healing because I had the support to do it.”
In early September, Angelica moved into her own apartment in Cleveland’s MidTown neighborhood. She looks forward to furnishing the apartment and making it a place she calls home. “This gives me a lot of peace. I am standing firm on the floor; it is not shaking or moving — it is stable,” she said.
As much as she looks forward to this next chapter and is proud of the healing she has worked to achieve, Angelica appreciates that she will continue to have assistance from the Joseph & Mary’s Home staff as a resident alumnae. She knows she will not be on her own.
“Residents find the love of God in the people at Joseph & Mary’s Home — the staff, the donors. I believe the support is an investment in me. They receive everyone with an open heart. I am thankful for that,” she said.
Angelica hopes to share the kindness she experienced at Joseph & Mary’s Home with others in her new community as payment in return for the abundance of care she received this year.
“Angelica had no place to stay and almost no income when she arrived at Joseph & Mary’s Home. While she was here, she felt welcomed and supported. This gave her the opportunity to address her health concerns and do the work needed to get her own place. The time she spent at Joseph & Mary’s Home — the time all men and women spend here — is so crucial so she could heal, rest and move forward.”
— Sr. Catherine Walsh, CSA, Joseph & Mary’s Home Volunteer and Board Member
