FINDING BELONGING AND COMMUNITY | Gloria's Story
FINDING BELONGING AND COMMUNITY
“I used to be a very depressed, sad woman. Since childhood.”
Even surrounded by family — six grown, hard-working children and a husband by her side — Gloria often found herself sitting in silence, overcome with sadness.
She didn’t always know why. The days felt long. The house, quieter. She wasn’t alone — but she felt that way. And with no job to anchor her time or purpose, Gloria felt her life was reaching a dead end.
What changed?
Gloria walked through the doors of CityTeam.
First, for help with groceries and clothing. But an invitation from her daughter-in-law opened the door to something deeper, a community of support.
HOW CONNECTION TO COMMUNITY CHANGED EVERYTHING
“Without CityTeam, I’d be at home, looking at the walls, crying,” says Gloria. The community of women and their support became a lifeline for Gloria.
For the first time in a long time, she didn’t feel alone.
“Every time I come here, I no longer feel like I’m 73 years old. I feel like I’m 15 again,” says Gloria.
“I have good friends. I’m very happy. I feel like I’m doing everything God is calling me to. CityTeam changed my life.”
Through the support at CityTeam, Gloria was able to build healthy connections with herself, her family, her community, and — for the first time — God. Because you give, Gloria found more than food and clothing. She found a loving spiritual community that helped her find her true identity in Christ’s love.
“I knew there was a Bible and I knew some verses about God, but I didn’t know how to understand it,” says Gloria. “Ever since I’ve started reading the Bible, I feel like a different person. That’s what I’ve shared with people in the community.”
GLORIA NOW GIVES BACK WHAT YOU FIRST GAVE HER
Today, Gloria still receives help with fresh groceries and clothing. But now she gives just as much as she receives.
She’s volunteered with CityTeam for four years and doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon. “There are a lot of people who still need help,” she says.
Gloria remembers one family — a single mom with two little girls — standing in line during the holiday season for food and clothing. The children were shaking from the cold.
“Did you bring a sweater for your two girls?”
Gloria asked the mom. “I don’t have any,” she replied. When Gloria ran inside to grab two small jackets for the children, the mother began crying.
“You don’t know how big the benefit is for the people who need it most,” says Gloria.
