The Guardian Angel of Health

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MEET A FEW OF OUR STEWARDS

MICHAEL was attending New York University on a Dean’s scholarship, working hard at his studies, when piercing and unrelenting dental pain made it impossible for him to study. Even the painkillers he was taking constantly weren’t helping anymore. Meanwhile, his family was unable to help, as she and younger children in the family were enrolled in a transitional housing program for homeless families, Homestretch. Born and raised in Ethiopia, Michael had never been able to afford proper dental care, and now had developed into a serious chronic problem. When it became clear that Michael’s college success was at risk, his mother’s case manager approached the GAH. With GAH funding, Michael’s dental work was done; he went on to complete his degree and graduated in May 2010 as winner of one of NYU’s Outstanding Graduate Award. He is now pursuing his M.S. degree in chemical engineering.

“Without getting this procedure done, I wouldn’t have been able to go back to school. This was a really critical time and getting help from the Guardian Angel of Health made all the difference.”

RAHMATULLAH, a husband and father of four, is a refugee from Iran, where his family suffered considerable persecution. He has embraced a new life in America, working multiple jobs in dedication to giving in his family a better life. He had never been to a dentist until coming to the U.S., after his teeth had deteriorated to a point of crisis, causing immense pain and jeopardizing his ability to support his family. With GAH funding and the discounted services provided through a Good Samaritan, Rahmatullah was able to complete multiple dental procedures that otherwise would have been unthinkable for him to afford.

“This gift from the Guardian Angel of Health will let me sleep better, have no more pain, and I can work longer hours to better support my wife and four children. Also, when I am better rested, I will be able to help more with my children’s homework so they can excel in school and have better futures for themselves and their families when they grow up.”

HELEN, mother of a six-year-old boy, is a housekeeper and hopes to create her own housekeeping business. She has learned English, passing the ESOL exams, and is now taking adult education classes. She became homeless due to domestic violence and has recovered well from the trauma, with renewed confidence about her ability to live a safe, free and independent life to raise her son.

“I greatly value this gift from the Guardian Angel of Health. I will no longer have pain and will be able to sleep better. With the pain, I cannot sleep and have energy for school, work and my son. Now I will have energy to go to English class and find a better job.”


MEET OUR SAINTS

HOMESTRETCH, INC. located in Falls Church, VA, empowers homeless families with children to return to stable housing and self-sufficiency by giving them the skills, knowledge and hope they need to become productive participants in the community. Homestretch, Inc., can be reached at www.homestretch-inc.org.