For Neighbors Like John
For years, John* lived on the streets of South Louisiana, caught in a painful cycle of chronic homelessness that left him weary and withdrawn. Earlier in his life, John had worked hard in the oil and gas industry. But after a series of injuries, layoffs, and personal losses, his once-steady life slowly unraveled.
Each day became a personal and isolated struggle for food, shelter, and safety. Life on the streets taught him to be cautious — to trust no one and rely only on himself. Even small gestures of kindness felt unfamiliar, sometimes even dangerous.
That began to change when John found his way to St. Joseph Diner.
At first, he came for the basics — a hot meal, a place to rest after staying up all night in fear of his safety, a moment of peace amid the chaos. But over time, he noticed something different. At the diner, kindness was consistent. Respect was genuine. No one asked for anything in return.
Long time volunteers greeted him by name. Staff treated him like family — offering a smile, a listening ear, or a simple acknowledgment that he mattered. Slowly, John began to let his guard down. Conversations over coffee turned into trust.
That trust became the turning point. With patience and compassion, our outreach team helped John take his next steps — first into hygiene services, the safety of shelter, then toward permanent housing.
Today, John has a place to call home. It’s more than four simple walls — it’s where he can finally rest, heal, and look toward the future with hope.
For John, St. Joseph Diner was a doorway to belonging — a place where guests, volunteers, and staff come together not as servers and recipients, but as neighbors.
This Giving Tuesday, your gift can help more neighbors like John find hope — and home.
And this year, your impact goes twice as far. Thanks to a record-breaking $200,000 match, every dollar you give will be matched dollar-for-dollar, providing twice the meals, twice the care, and twice the hope for our neighbors in need.
Checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 3177, Lafayette, LA 70502 with "Giving Tuesday Match" in the memo line.
Questions about giving? Reach out to Ben Broussard at ben@catholiccharitiesacadiana.org or (337) 235-4972 ext. 1208
*Names have been changed to ensure their privacy and anonymity