Brittany Robert
Inspirational and life changing
“Thank you to all of the members of LEFSA for welcoming us into your phenomenal community. Each and every one of you are inspiring, and what you do is extraordinary. In the short time we were there, we were able to learn so much, and it truly opened my eyes that I need to spend more time involved in the community.
“LEFSA is a place everyone should experience. The feeling of sitting in those chairs during a Wednesday meeting is powerful. There is absolutely no judgment, and for those few hours you feel as if all your troubles go away. I looked forward to the Wednesday meetings each week knowing I would be a part of something much bigger than myself. The meeting topics are inspirational and life changing. Anyone can take what they’ve learned that day and apply it to their life. I truly believe I’ve learned more from the members at LEFSA than we were able to teach.
“I cannot explain the joy I felt in my heart every time we presented our health topics. The members were just as eager to learn from us as we were eager to teach. I have never experienced an audience with more willingness to learn about their health. Everyone was open to sharing their life experiences and offering advice. Your stories showed me a different side of healthcare and the real-life struggles people face every day. I promise to take that with me in my career and life always.
“Two moments I’ll never forget are singing ‘Victory Is Mine,’ and visiting the drop-in center with JB and Pam. Last week, when a few members gave news of getting housing, everyone erupted in applause and sang ‘Victory Is Mine.’ The entire room filled with happiness for someone else, and I could feel it in the air. There is nothing more profound than sincere love for another person’s success. I even find myself singing that throughout my day.
“When we visited the drop-in center we were able to sit in a circle and talk with the community members there. I can remember one of the gentlemen who was probably the same age as me. He had just found a new job and shared his family struggles with us. Even with all that he had gone through, he was asking us about school and how it felt to be in a classroom. Every time I take an exam now or complain about class work, I think of him. Something I would take for granted, he’s working towards.
“Another gentleman explained that he was curious as to why we were in New York, but us being there must have been his reason. His purpose for that day was to be there and hear what JB and Pam were talking about. I felt the same way. The two of them have given so much to so many by just being there, and that is remarkable. The dedication everyone at LEFSA has is incredible.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your experiences with us and welcoming us! God loves you all, and I definitely do too!”
—Brittany Robert, nursing student, College of Mount Saint Vincent
Related Stories
Read what LEFSA participants, team members, and volunteers have to say.
Lisa
Lisa - Bringing out the love
I first starting coming to LEFSA’s women’s group in 2002 when a community member recommended me to the ministry. There I was introduced to Sr. Dorothy, who instantly made me feel really loved.
Timothy
They’ve seen their father become someone
You will know my disciples because they show love for one another. When you come to this community, that is what you are going to get. It takes time to work on people, but it works. It worked on me.
Janet
Support, encouragement and care
Several years ago, I arrived at Life Experience and Faith Sharing Associates, homeless and pregnant. Sr. Dorothy befriended me during that time when my life seemed to be falling apart. She encouraged me to get medical care and pregnancy counseling.
Amoy Chung
Encouraging and uplifting each other
“I honestly feel selfish for enjoying LEFSA the way I have. It was a very humbling experience that I will definitely cherish. At LEFSA, I feel at home. I always feel a sense of calm and serenity once the meetings start.
Lucy, LEFSA Housing Advocate
Food for the soul
In the beginning, being homeless was depressing. I was angry, ashamed, and upset for being in that predicament. I had no relationship with God. One day, I came in early from work and went to the Rec Room and ...
James Butler
It’s a blessing
It’s been our blessing to provide this service. So many people have said to us, ‘we thought you were not coming out today, but it’s a blessing you are here for us.’ And we are there, every Monday, whether it’s cold or warm outside.
Johnnie
A beautiful and warm feeling
I was in a shelter at Ward Island and one week I was told about a gathering, where they give us food and talk to us. At the time, my mom had cervical cancer. She was my partner and confidant. When I met James,
Joan B.
Testimony to ministry
I arrived at Lenox Hill Shelter for Women in July 2008, feeling sickly and weak. Sorrow had taken the place of joy, because of my dire circumstances. At least one and a half years earlier I had undergone a year-long treatment of chemotherapy.
Jorjina
LEFSA as a Family
When I was at a very low point in my life, someone invited me to the LEFSA Women’s Group. Fortunately, I was not working that day,
Grace
God had something for me
“The retreat was beautiful and overwhelming. The people that I met, the staff, the team, the ladies and the men and Martindale—everyone touched my heart deeply. I was invited by Georgia and Pamela,
Debbie Canty
We are always here
“I met LEFSA in 2004. I’d been staying at New Providence Women’s Shelter and was on my way to sign out, and I heard gospel songs, like my mom used to sing. Sr. Dorothy walked up to me and invited me in.
James, LEFSA Team Member
Feeling alive again
It was 2011 when I first entered LEFSA’s Men’s Spiritual Development Group. I happened to hear some men talking about it at St. Bart’s Soup Kitchen and decided to join them the following day.
James Addison
Getting life back
LEFSA gave me my life back. It didn’t just give me my life back, it gave me my family’s life back too. Because when I got better, my family got better also. And not only did my family get better, but my community got a little better.
Donna
Drawn to the positivity
I’d been at Franklin Women’s Shelter and was feeling depressed and down. I was sitting in the corner and didn’t have a sense of direction or know which way to go. I had been working in-home care,
Cameron
Feeling at home
“I got involved with LEFSA though my sister, Althea, about 6 years ago. I attended the LEFSA picnic and was amazed by how many people were there—by the food, camaraderie and the whole good feeling you got. ”
John Wesley Mitchell
Little Miracles
A couple of weeks after I moved out of the shelter and into my apartment, I was confined to a wheelchair. One night while coming home, a lady smiled at me and said: “you need LEFSA.” Somehow she knew
Mario Pimentel
Finding Faith Again with LEFSA
Let me begin by introducing myself. My name is Mario and I’m a 54 year old Dominican raised in West Harlem. I met LEFSA while living in the Boulevard Men’s Shelter on Lexington Avenue. Let me say it’s a very dark place,
Brittany Robert
Inspirational and life changing
Thank you to all of the members of LEFSA for welcoming us into your phenomenal community. Each and every one of you is inspiring, and what you do is extraordinary.
Althea Craig-Morelli
Reconnected Through LEFSA
I became affiliated with LEFSA in 2011 when I was living in Lenox Hill Women’s Shelter on Park Avenue. I always believed in God and that all people are children of God. Every week I looked forward to LEFSA coming to the shelter.
Iris Sankey-Lewis
Living is giving
If you can envision two white nuns, neatly dressed with religious pins on the fronts of their blouses, wearing sneakers, and pulling shopping carts through the streets of Harlem, those were Sr. Dorothy Gallant and Sr. Teresa Skehan.