For fifteen years Carmen worked very hard, but when her factory downsized she was not one of the lucky ones and lost her job. Experienced only in assembly production there was no work available; declining sales had brought massive job cuts in manufacturing. In 2010 factories in Lawrence were shutting down, consolidating manufacturing plants or moving overseas for less expensive labor costs. Carmen tried everything to find a job, any job, so they could keep their apartment. But, without employment she and her husband, Wilson, who was sick on disability, became homeless. When they lost their housing, they lost almost everything they owned, as well as hope for their future; the obstacles were overwhelming! 

Just in time they found out about Lazarus House and moved into the Emergency Shelter. Carmen continued her job search and found a part-time position as a bus monitor. While living at the shelter, Carmen and Wilson diligently saved 90% of their income, as required by the shelter rules, and were able to move into their own apartment within a few short months. Their time at the shelter gave them a safe place to go while they worked out a way to reestablish themselves in the community.

Lazarus House Emergency Shelter opened in 1983 as a 5-bed shelter with an advocacy program. The shelter now holds seven rooms for families and eight beds for single men and women. Guests are referred to the shelter by churches and social service agencies. Last year the Lazarus House shelter provided more than 9,535 safe nights of crisis housing for individuals; 48% of whom were children!

Today, Carmen and Wilson are happily living in their own apartment and moving forward with their lives. "One day I will be volunteering my time because being at Lazarus House was such a lesson to me," Carmen expressed with emotion, "I will give my time to these people on the street . . . I will give them my heart. I will fill their shoes because I was in their shoes; I will feel their pain because I felt their pain . . . I will give 100% in volunteering my time to them."

Go to http://www.lazarushouse.org/sponsor-a-guest

for more information about how you can Sponsor-a-guest at our shelter. Choose to make a difference by helping someone in need of crucial support facing life challenges.