The boxes were stacked around Mary, and she didn’t know where to start.

Her husband of 54 years, Joe, was terminally ill and needed hospice care.

Then came more bad news.

The rent for their modest apartment was being raised again, putting it beyond their financial reach. And their third-floor apartment became nearly impossible for Joe to navigate as his health declined.

Determined to find a safer, more affordable option, Mary applied for a first-floor, subsidized apartment. When she learned they had been approved – with lower rent and utilities included – it felt like a small miracle.

But there was one more big hurdle.

To make the move possible, Mary took out a loan to hire movers. But that meant she couldn’t afford the full security deposit and first month’s rent needed to secure the apartment.

Feeling the weight of it all, she turned to Catholic Charities NH.

Because of generous supporters like you, Mary and Joe were able to cover the costs of moving into a safe, accessible home where Joe could receive hospice care with dignity.

The support didn’t stop there. We connected Mary with a local food pantry and worked with her to find ways to cut back where she could.

But it quickly became clear that Mary’s greatest need at that moment wasn’t just financial.

It was emotional.

Surrounded by half-packed boxes and facing the grief of her husband’s declining health, Mary felt overwhelmed and discouraged. She spoke quietly about her fears. Together, we talked about taking things one day at a time – and even one box at a time. We reminded her to be gentle with herself during this season of change and sorrow.

When counseling was suggested, Mary paused and said softly, “That would be a good idea.” We then connected her with our Mental Health Counseling Services.

Today, Mary and her husband are settled into their new first-floor apartment, a space that offers comfort and peace of mind. And Mary knows she does not have to navigate this chapter alone.

Because of compassionate donors like you, what began as a stressful move became something more: a reminder that even in life’s most tender moments, community shows up.

One box.

One day.

One act of kindness at a time.