A Weight Lifted - Michelle's Story 

A Tipping Point

Michelle bought her home new 40 years ago, a place where she could proudly raise her children in a community she loved. Over time, however, maintaining the house became increasingly difficult. The physical demands of upkeep, such as fixing the bathroom or controlling the blackberry bushes in the yard, became overwhelming. Financial constraints added to the challenge, especially when the roof began to leak. Despite these hardships, Michelle remained determined to keep her home in good condition, even as the repairs became more daunting.
 
Eventually, the burden of the leaky roof, combined with the need for bathroom repairs, became overwhelming. “I was working full-time, but it wasn’t enough to cover the cost of a roof replacement,” Michelle shared. “It felt like the house was falling down around me.” Despite the many challenges in her life, Michelle remained grateful for the encouragement she received from individuals and groups along the way. “God has given me just enough in the meantime,” she reflected. It was one of these kind people who suggested Michelle reach out to Catalyst.

Support Beyond Repairs

From the start, Michelle describes her interactions with Catalyst’s staff and volunteers as warm, gentle, professional, and reassuring. She remembers Mark coming out to check on her leaking roof and Mike tackling some of the smaller bathroom repairs. Mike encountered problem after problem but went out of his way to resolve each one. “He made me feel like helping me was exactly what he wanted to do.”
 
Michelle also interacted with Marty, a member of the Catalyst Care Team. She felt truly listen to during their conversations, as Marty showed a genuine interest in her well-being. He connected Michelle with a volunteer, who later invited her to a nearby faith community just a few miles away. This thoughtful gesture helped Michelle feel more connected within her community.

A Community Connection 

In addition to the bathroom repairs, Catalyst mobilized 58 volunteers that donated 359 hours with support from five partners to fix Michelle’s roof and remove the blackberries that had overtaken her yard. Hector De La Torre, an employee of partner organization CIDA, noted how fulfilling it was to join in with co-workers to help a member of the community. “It was great to be able to see a visible difference to the yard after our work.”

A Deeper Impact

More than just addressing the physical repairs, Catalyst uplifted Michelle’s spirits. “The work they do makes a bigger difference in people’s lives than just fixing a roof or a bathroom,” Michelle said. “It’s something deeper—a weight lifted off a heavy life.”
 
Michelle shared how Catalyst has a unique way of providing what’s missing in the world today. “They create a place where people can donate, volunteer, and truly make a difference, all while building a strong sense of community. It’s something very needed and beautiful,” Michelle said. For her, the impact of Catalyst wasn’t just about completing a project; it was about experiencing kindness, thoughtfulness, and the power of people coming together to help. “There are so many good people out there who want to make a difference, and Catalyst provides the blueprint for how to do that.”
 
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A special thanks to our volunteers who worked with us on this project, as well as partners JE Dunn, The Harbor, CIDA, CBRE and Malarkey Roofing Products."