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, where you’re living in constant fear that you might be the next victim. As for myself, I thought I was caught up in a nightmare that ran 24 hours a day. I had lost interest in life itself and had no hope in sight. I had lost contact with my daughter after my wife of 23 years passed away—that was 8 years ago. I was beating myself up for all my shortcomings.
One day in 2015, as I was sitting in the cafeteria, I saw two people walking in with bright smiles on their faces, asking if I wanted to participate in their group. I agreed. There were three people in that first group and a lot of hecklers on the side making comments. As we got started we sang a song: “Put thee behind;” then a second song, “Victory is Mine.” By the end of the song the cafeteria was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. That goes to show you that positive outweighs negative every time. The last song was “This Little Light of Mine,” and from our little corner we were breaking through a dark cloud. For the next two hours there was peace and bonding with Jesus and clearing your mind from all the negativity around. As the group continued we read scripture and reflected upon the readings. The topic that day was faith. It was like they came there just for me. I was having a hard time with faith, trust and self-esteem. Not to mention depression, homelessness and health issues.
That day opened my eyes and the door to LEFSA. I started to attend men’s meetings, where I was welcomed, and started to meet the rest of the LEFSA family at the team enrichment meetings. But it wasn’t until I went to my first men’s retreat that I felt so comfortable to just let it out, all this baggage that I’ve been carrying around for years. I can tell you there was a lot of tears shed that night. And a lot of care and concern.
The following day I went out to the labyrinth on the grounds, to confront all my shortcomings and leave them behind. I felt so light—not like losing weight, it was my spirit awakening to hope and faith. As I got back to the city, I knew I had a lot of work to do, putting God first to guide me on this journey called life.
After that retreat I became more in touch with God and more involved with LEFSA, and the doors continued to open. I have reunited with my daughter and grandchildren after eight years of no contact. I have also graduated from the Catholic Charities EOP program, which has given me direction and has helped me to build my self-esteem and showed me that I have a lot to contribute. I’m also glad to say that after three years of running from shelter to shelter, as of March 1, 2016 I have a lease and keys to my own apartment.
I can only say that God answers prayers. I know that God heard and answered my LEFSA family’s prayers. I just want to say thanks to my LEFSA family for their care and concern and gentleness when I was fragile, and for opening my eyes to family.
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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.
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Janet
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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
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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.