I was born in Cuba and so was my son, Frank. Life is very, very hard over there. I worked in Cuba 20 years, but there was no food, no dreams, no life, no future.

In Cuba, people cry everyday because they don’t have milk for children. They receive only one piece of bread a day, one piece of chicken a month, and we can’t say nothing because there is no liberty, you don’t have a choice.

I signed up for a lottery Visa to come to United States in 1996 – every year they pick names and you are able to leave Cuba. I never think I can win. I waited for two years thinking my life will always be the same in Cuba but then they picked my name.

I’m came here in 1997. I was 38 years old and weighed 78 pounds. I started work right away but I could not speak English. I worked as a housekeeper. I did not have enough money to pay the bills and I got evicted. I had no place to go and no one to help me. I was very scared and worried for me and my son.

I found Resurrection House and now my dreams started to come true. I had many things to learn in my new life but I was provided everything me and my son needed to live: food… shelter… clothes… and peace. That’s very important for me and it happened here at Resurrection House for the first time.

My first year at Resurrection House I did not have green card to work, so I volunteered at St. Anthony’s Hospital and at the same time I went to school to learn English. When my paperwork was ready, I started to work at St. Anthony’s part time. Then one year ago I earned a full time job in the medical records department.

I have learned may things: better English, computer skills, how to manage money and saving. I want to go to school now and finish my English, learn medical coding and get a better job at the hospital and I want a home. At Resurrection House they tell me I can do that.

Today I don’t weigh 78 pounds. I am not scared. I feel very strong and my son is healthy. I have plenty of food for my son, for me, and to share with others. I have people that care about me. Last year the sisters at St. Anthony’s paid for me and my son to go to Cuba to visit my family.

Thank you Resurrection House and to St. Anthony’s and thank you America for taking my son and me. God bless you for your love and kindness to all the families like me that you help.

God bless you all. ¡Gracias!