Inspired by the Gospel mandates to love, serve and teach, Catholic Charities of Baltimore provides care and services to improve the lives of Marylanders in need.
Inspired by the Gospel mandates to love, serve and teach, Catholic Charities of Baltimore provides care and services to improve the lives of Marylanders in need.
TIFFANY AND KRIS
TIFFANY AND KRIS
TRANSFORMED BY LOVE
Anna’s House serves women and families experiencing homelessness coupled with domestic violence, unemployment, chronic addiction or mental health issues. Our staff works with each client to help her take charge of their life and recognize their own capabilities and self-worth, providing emergency shelter, transitional and permanent supportive housing to help move towards self-sufficiency.
“Three years ago I hit rock bottom,” Tiffany Corey recalled while balancing her cheerful infant son on her hip and keeping a close eye on her lively toddler daughter during a recent visit to Anna’s House. She looked over at her friend and caseworker, Kris Lewman, and went on. “I was in a domestic violence relationship and lost my housing. I knew I had issues. I was in a cycle of being with the same type of man. So I needed the housing, but I needed counseling even more.”
Kris nodded. “You’ve always been self-aware,” she said to Tiffany. “You may not always like what you learn, but you don’t stick your head in the sand. That’s one of your best qualities.”
Tiffany continued. “I came to Anna’s House nervous about community living. I knew I needed structure. They told me, ‘If you follow the rules and work the program, we can help you.’”
While living at Anna’s House, Tiffany learned to manage her life and her money and be a better mother. Having grown up in foster care, she didn’t have a role model for good mothering when her daughter was born. “Parenting is an everyday struggle, knowing I’m responsible for making sure they turn out to be good people,” she shared.
“Parenting is an everyday struggle, knowing I’m responsible for making sure they turn out to be good people.”
Tiffany now has her own townhouse and car, and a part-time job. As she moves towards independence, she still has support from Anna’s House. “I don’t even have to ask Miss Kris,” she said. “She’ll just stop by and bring something for the kids. She thinks of me—‘Tiffany might need this,’ and she’ll bring it.”
The warmth between the two women lights up the room. “Once you said I felt like a grandmother to you,” Kris remembered. “That touched my heart. I’ve never had a client say that before.”
“You are like a grandmother,” Tiffany responded immediately. “You call me on my mistakes. You remind me to think positive. I have so many opportunities, and I don’t know why I deserve them.”
Kris’ answer was predictable. “Think positive!”
ANNA’S HOUSE
Opened in 1991, Anna’s House represents the combined efforts of Catholic Charities, Harford County Government and committed churches, businesses, civic groups and individuals throughout the county. Since its inception, Anna’s House has grown from one house encompassing four transitional living spaces to the broad array of homeless services it provides today including emergency shelter, transitional housing for families fleeing domestic violence, community supportive housing and rapid re-housing.
Learn More
TRANSFORMED BY LOVE
Anna’s House serves women and families experiencing homelessness coupled with domestic violence, unemployment, chronic addiction or mental health issues. Our staff works with each client to help her take charge of their life and recognize their own capabilities and self-worth, providing emergency shelter, transitional and permanent supportive housing to help move towards self-sufficiency.
“Three years ago I hit rock bottom,” Tiffany Corey recalled while balancing her cheerful infant son on her hip and keeping a close eye on her lively toddler daughter during a recent visit to Anna’s House. She looked over at her friend and caseworker, Kris Lewman, and went on. “I was in a domestic violence relationship and lost my housing. I knew I had issues. I was in a cycle of being with the same type of man. So I needed the housing, but I needed counseling even more.”
Kris nodded. “You’ve always been self-aware,” she said to Tiffany. “You may not always like what you learn, but you don’t stick your head in the sand. That’s one of your best qualities.”
Tiffany continued. “I came to Anna’s House nervous about community living. I knew I needed structure. They told me, ‘If you follow the rules and work the program, we can help you.’”
While living at Anna’s House, Tiffany learned to manage her life and her money and be a better mother. Having grown up in foster care, she didn’t have a role model for good mothering when her daughter was born. “Parenting is an everyday struggle, knowing I’m responsible for making sure they turn out to be good people,” she shared.
“Parenting is an everyday struggle, knowing I’m responsible for making sure they turn out to be good people.”
Tiffany now has her own townhouse and car, and a part-time job. As she moves towards independence, she still has support from Anna’s House. “I don’t even have to ask Miss Kris,” she said. “She’ll just stop by and bring something for the kids. She thinks of me—‘Tiffany might need this,’ and she’ll bring it.”
The warmth between the two women lights up the room. “Once you said I felt like a grandmother to you,” Kris remembered. “That touched my heart. I’ve never had a client say that before.”
“You are like a grandmother,” Tiffany responded immediately. “You call me on my mistakes. You remind me to think positive. I have so many opportunities, and I don’t know why I deserve them.”
Kris’ answer was predictable. “Think positive!”
ANNA’S HOUSE
Opened in 1991, Anna’s House represents the combined efforts of Catholic Charities, Harford County Government and committed churches, businesses, civic groups and individuals throughout the county. Since its inception, Anna’s House has grown from one house encompassing four transitional living spaces to the broad array of homeless services it provides today including emergency shelter, transitional housing for families fleeing domestic violence, community supportive housing and rapid re-housing.
Learn More
