Naomi smiles as she prepares to purchase a car, made possible by your support.

Naomi is a busy single mother with two daughters, ages 12 and 7. Her life has not always been easy. She grew up in foster care and often had to figure things out on her own. When she graduated from her foster care program at age 18, she felt lost.

“I was told I had to find a job and find a place, but I didn’t really have anyone to depend on or help,” Naomi said.

She lived near St. Agnes in Concord at the time. After seeing other women go to the church for help, she decided to walk in. That was in 2012. It was the first time she met the volunteers at St. Vincent de Paul of Contra Costa County (SVdP). For over ten years, those volunteers (called Vincentians) have been the family she didn’t have.

“I’ve always known, if I need help or I am down on my luck, I can turn to SVdP. It’s been a real blessing. Growing up in foster care and being a single mother, I don’t really have anyone I can turn to for help or depend on. But SVdP volunteers have always been there for me. They’re consistent and they’re amazing,” Naomi said.

Over the years, SVdP helped her with food and rent when times were tight. But recently, Naomi faced a new challenge. She moved to Brentwood and her car was repossessed. Without a car, her world became very small. She was working toward a degree in Early Childhood Development, but she had to stop attending classes.

She could not leave her daughters to ride the bus alone, so she spent four hours every day just getting them to and from school in Antioch. If there was an emergency, an Uber could cost her $50.

“It’s really hard,” Naomi said. “You work and work and make enough to get by, but when you have kids stuff can happen. Things come up, emergencies happen, and before I knew it, I was just behind.”

Naomi is a responsible mother, but she could not save enough for a new car. That is when an SVdP volunteer told her about the SVdP Micro Loan program. The Microloan program helps people get fair, low interest loans. It was made to help people get away from unfair payday loans and substitute high-interest credit card balances for lower-cost manageable payments. It also helps people in situations just like Naomi’s.

The volunteers sat down with Naomi to look at her budget. They realized that a car would actually save her money. She wouldn’t have to pay for expensive Ubers anymore. With the loan, Naomi was able to buy a reliable Hyundai.

“I am so grateful,” Naomi said. “I’m picking up a used Hyundai in good condition. I think it’s so beautiful. It’s going to make life so much easier. And I’m going to take such good care of it because I’m hoping in three years I’ll be able to give it to my daughter as her first car.”

Because of this car, Naomi is going back to school to finish her degree. She finally has a way to get to campus and to work. Most importantly, she has the peace of mind she needs to be there for her girls.

“This is really going to change my life,” Naomi said.