She was 17 years old and alone with a newborn baby. Her baby\u2019s father left her when she was pregnant, and she didn\u2019t know how she would make it to the next day.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was just stuck in the moment of survival\u2026 and ready to leave town,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Then Shantel received a phone call that changes the course of her life. Marisol Home, a Catholic Charities housing program, had an open room for her and her baby.<\/p>\n
Catholic Charities \u2014 one of the many ministries that is provided funding from the Archbishop\u2019s Catholic Appeal \u2014 gave Shantel \u201cwarm, safe place to call my home.\u201d She packed up all her belongings and went to begin her new life.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey greeted me and valued me,\u201d Shantel said. \u201cI never felt judged or misplaced.\u201d<\/p>\n
Shantel didn\u2019t have confidence in herself as a young girl, but the people at Marisol Home gave her friendship and family who provided \u201ca place to grow and be herself.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis was my safe haven [because of] the counseling, the friends I gained, and the support from all the staff and other families who were in similar situation as I was, she said.<\/p>\n
Within a year, Shantel found her first home and began a new journey with her baby and the knowledge that she will always belong to a community that cares for them.<\/p>\n
\u201cI now look at my son who is 7 years old and I am thankful [they] opened their doors to me,\u201d Shantel said. \u201cThank you for believing in me and knowing that I can be in a better place one day, even when I didn\u2019t believe in myself.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”left” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/4″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”5622″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In From Left” animation_easing=”default” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”small_depth” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][divider line_type=”No Line” custom_height=”60″][nectar_single_testimonial testimonial_style=”basic” text_color=”#00833e” quote=”Thank you for believing in me and knowing that I can be in a better place one day, even when I didn\u2019t believe in myself.” name=”Shantel”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none”][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/1″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Catholic Charities is just one of many Archdiocese of Denver ministries that serves our neighbors in need with the help of funding through the annual Archbishop\u2019s Catholic Appeal.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” column_margin=”default” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” column_direction=”default” column_direction_tablet=”default” column_direction_phone=”default” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”center” row_border_radius=”none” row_border_radius_applies=”bg” overflow=”visible” overlay_strength=”0.3″ gradient_direction=”left_to_right” shape_divider_position=”bottom” bg_image_animation=”none” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”padding-3-percent” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_backdrop_filter=”none” column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” column_link_target=”_self” column_position=”default” gradient_direction=”left_to_right” overlay_strength=”0.3″ width=”1\/2″ tablet_width_inherit=”default” animation_type=”default” bg_image_animation=”none” border_type=”simple” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][image_with_animation image_url=”5623″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In From Right” animation_easing=”default” animation_movement_type=”transform_y” hover_animation=”zoom” alignment=”center” img_link_target=”_blank” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_tablet=”inherit” column_padding_phone=”inherit” column_padding_position=”all” column_element_direction_desktop=”default” column_element_spacing=”default” desktop_text_alignment=”default” tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” 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