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Last summer a struggling, elderly, deaf man came to the Batavia Catholic Charities office in hopes of finding an apartment where he could live with his long-time companion – his terrier. Communicating with staff through a pen and small pad of paper he brought with him, he explained that he had no income, a truck with a high-interest rate loan, and late fees piling up. As a result, he was homeless and living out of his truck.
Kelly Prattico, Catholic Charities’ Preventive Services Supervisor, called motels in the area, but no rooms were available. She made an appointment for him at the Genesee Independent Living Center, hoping they could use their community connections and expertise in disabilities to advocate for him and help find him a permanent place to live. She also gave him a gift card for food because he had nothing left.
Weeks later, on her way home from work, Kelly noticed the man parked in a dirt lot near Bennington. He was still living in his truck. One day, she and a co-worker stopped to talk with him and find out what he needed. He listed on scraps of paper a few items that would get him by – a loaf of bread, jelly, peanut butter and a cold Pepsi. She helped get those small things for him and also gave him some money for gas. But the best gift she gave him that day was an appointment with Catholic Charities.
For two months, Kelly worked with the man and eventually, found him a suitable apartment. The staff has not heard from him since October, leading them to believe he is right where they left him, safe in his apartment with his companion.
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