For Abbey, a lifelong New Yorker and child welfare specialist, the past few years brought challenges she never expected. Within a short period of time, she was diagnosed with stage-four lung cancer, seriously injured in a car accident, and struggled to keep up with basic expenses while undergoing treatment.
During this time, she relied on her family, her own resilience and determination to keep going, and the support she received from Catholic Charities of New York, one of the largest nonprofit providers of social services in the country, when she needed it most. “I had just received my diagnosis in March of 2023, and I started treatment,” Abbey said. “Going through that treatment process, chemo, immunotherapy, it was a lot. I was missing a lot of work, which affected me financially. And then I was hit by a vehicle.”
Abbey was born in Brooklyn and has lived in Harlem for many years. She has worked for New York City Children’s Services for more than a decade as a child welfare specialist, helping protect vulnerable children and families. She is used to helping others through difficult moments. But during her illness and recovery, she suddenly found herself in need of help.
As she continued chemotherapy treatments, another setback followed. While crossing the street on her way to the supermarket, Abbey was struck by a car and suffered serious injuries.
“I was crossing the street and the car made a left turn and hit me and broke my pelvis and my hip,” she said. “Because of my cancer diagnosis, I couldn’t have surgery, so everything healed naturally.”
She spent weeks in the hospital and in rehabilitation while continuing cancer treatment. With missed work, reduced hours, and ongoing medical appointments, the financial strain quickly became overwhelming.
“I came home from the hospital, and I received the rent bill, and the amount that was on the bill stressed me out,” she said. “How am I going to recover from this?”
Help with Rent, Utilities, and Housing Stability
While returning to work, Abbey attended a resource fair where Catholic Charities of New York was present. The encounter reminded her that the organization had helped her once before during a difficult period in her life.
“I had worked with Catholic Charities before, a long time ago, maybe over 20 years ago, when I needed help,” she said. “When I saw them again, I decided to call.”
After reaching out, Abbey began working with caseworker Joy Willis, who helped her apply for emergency assistance through programs that help prevent eviction, keep utilities on, and support families facing sudden hardship.
“She told me that she had put in the application for me to receive some funding so I can get my rent caught up,” Abbey said. “She asked me about my light bill, and she helped me with that too.” The assistance allowed Abbey to remain in her home and keep her electricity on while she focused on her treatment and recovery.
Abbey’s story is one example of the work Catholic Charities of New York does every day to help neighbors remain safely in their homes during times of crisis.
Through housing stability services, eviction prevention programs, emergency financial assistance, and compassionate case management, Catholic Charities of New York helps individuals and families avoid homelessness, keep their housing, and remain safely in their homes across the Archdiocese of New York. Each year, Catholic Charities of New York serves more than 16,000 people through our housing stability programs — ensuring that individuals and families facing hardship can maintain stable housing and focus on rebuilding their lives.
“It was a huge relief,” Abbey said. “I was thinking about chemo on Thursday and then I have to deal with everything else. To have someone that understood my story and was willing to seek out resources so that they could help take one thing off my stress was very helpful for me.”
Abbey said the compassion she experienced from Willis stayed with her even after her case was resolved.
“We used to pray on the phone,” she said. “She would give me affirmations. Even after my case was finished, she would check in with me. That meant a lot to me.”
Moving Forward After a Time of Crisis
During the hardest moments, Abbey says her daughter gave her the strength to keep moving forward.
“What gave me the strength? My daughter,” she said. “I couldn’t fold. That’s not who I am. I face challenges and I look for resolutions.”
Her daughter helped with groceries, paperwork, and daily needs while Abbey focused on treatment and recovery. Today, Abbey’s condition has stabilized, and she is grateful to be able to continue working and rebuilding her life.
“I wouldn’t say I’m in cancer remission, but I’m on what you would call a treatment break,” she said. “My rent is up to date, and I’m able to try to get in some more hours at work.”
Through everything she has faced, she says she learned the importance of speaking up and asking for help when life becomes overwhelming. “There’s a saying, a closed mouth won’t get fed,” Abbey shared. “Being vocal can open up opportunities to help you through life’s challenges.” She also carries a deep sense of gratitude for each day.
“I look at it as I’m a grace baby,” she said. “Every day I wake up, I get another chance to fight. I get another chance to make a memory.”
Compassion and Support When It Matters Most
Abbey hopes her story reminds others that the work of Catholic Charities of New York is made possible by many people working together — staff, volunteers, and generous supporters.
“A huge, huge thank you,” she said. “It’s people like myself that need you. I may not physically see you, but I see you behind the scenes with your donations, your prayers, your compassion.”
Because of that support, she was able to remain in her home, keep her electricity on, and focus on what mattered most — her healing.
“It was your push and your generosity that helped me stay on track,” she said. “Now I can pass that on to someone else who may need help.”
Looking back, Abbey says the support she received reminded her how much compassion still exists in the world.
“We need a lot of compassion, a lot of love, and a lot of resources,” she said. “I say thank you, and I hope hearing my story makes people want to continue to help.”
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