Testimonials
The past couple of months at The Franciscan Center have
truly been a great help to me. My life before the Franciscan Center was very
unstable and in such of disarray, even though I did know what I wanted in
life, it seemed like the "how" part was a complete mystery to me. Before I
was a resident at the Franciscan Center I lived in Auburn, New York with my
grandparents, and it truly seemed like my life was at a standstill, there
weren't any reliable jobs available and I felt that I was slowly going
downhill. So I decided to leave Auburn, New York to Buffalo to live with my
dad because I was set on to create a stable life for me as a young man. Due
to series of unfortunate events I became without a place to live and
discovered the Franciscan Center.
Even though I came to the Franciscan center for a place to stay, I found
something much more, a place that would help me begin my journey as a young
man. My first week at the Franciscan Center was truly enlightening for me,
with the combination of the orientation packet that I was given and the
Franciscan Centers staff's vast knowledge I gained information that could
take some people years to master like budgeting, banking, job searching, job
maintenance, and last but not least not wasting your first check. With the
Franciscan Center Staff's help I have been employed by Tops Family Market
Along with job preparation The Franciscan Circle have given me life skills
that I will always remember, and helped me set up life goals.
My goals for the for the near future is that by my twenty first birthday I
will continue to work at Tops Friendly Markets and to obtain a decent
apartment for when my time at the Franciscan Center will be expired, and I
will be preparing myself for fall enrollment at Erie Community College for
Basic Engineering. Some of the goals I have set for myself that are farther
down the road of life are that; I will become a licensed engineer, own a
home, adventure the world, establish a family, and write a novel. Father Joe
thank you for your very entertaining wisdom and your comical lessons of life
I will always remember and thank you Maureen and Sharon with your
determination and patience of making sure I become the young man I have set
out to be, I would also like to thank the rest of the Franciscan staff for
their vast knowledge of life. Last but certainly not least I would like to
thank the Franciscan centers supporters because if it wasn't your generosity
the Franciscan Center wouldn't be able to be continually changing the life
of young men. May you all have a good and blessed night.
- Quawnday, the 2011 Recipient of the Fr. Patrick Mendola Memorial
Scholarship (Sponsored by our friends at Ingram Micro, Inc.)
The Franciscan Center helped me with many life skills
and now I can make a fresh start. -JW
Coming to the Center
was and possibly will be the biggest turning point in my life. I hated
life, people, and myself. After six months here, I grew up more, and learned
more than I did in 20 years. It wasn't easy but look where I am: alive,
healthy and not on the street. I graduated from high school and through my
problems went to college. I'm not the underdog anymore. I am favored to
succeed. With talking and working a program, I destroyed all negative
feelings and started over...I felt care, love, and the will to make it with
my stay. I didn't think anyone could put up with me; now I know who can. I
get along better with my mother and family now that I understand them.
Understanding myself is a big factor also in helping that to happen. My life
was turned upside down, straightened out, turned back upright, and finally
put back together...thank you...I'm free at last.
Love, gratefully, M.B.
Coming to the Center was the best thing for my life. i
wouldn't be where I am today. I'm in college and have a good job thanks to
everyone. -MB
The people at TFC are truly gifted. They helped me get
my GED. I have a job and I learned how to live a productive life. -JC
I never would have got the chance to go to college
without your help. -DC
... I sure do remember
you and all you did for me. You guys went to bat for me when no one else
cared. I'm working two jobs now and I'll be starting school in the Fall. I
have a two bedroom apartment and a '93 Grand Am... I credit you and your
"tough love" for many of the qualities in my character. I'm doing well now
and I thank your organization. If I could be on your mailing list, it would
be an honor. Thanks again! - JS |
The Franciscan Center -
A Poem
The Franciscan Center helped us in many ways,
They taught us things that we will remember in future days,
And if we work hard the job will pay,
And the payment of gratitude is always okay.
The Franciscan Center brought us off the streets,
The staff got us back on our feet,
They told us never to take defeat,
Because if you try hard you never be beat.
The Franciscan Center is a great place,
They'll take in anybody no matter their race,
Even if they have a very different case,
It doesn't matter as long as there's a smile on your face.
The Franciscan Center helped us all out,
And now we're succeeding without a doubt,
Because the staff taught us what life is all about,
So now we have no reason to even scream and shout.
Through it all The Franciscan Center is the best,
They gave us a place for our heads to rest,
And they gave us the time for money to invest,
And most of all they help us get stress off our chest.
Through my hard times The Franciscan Center was there for me,
Life was so blind before now I can see,
So I'm going to keep trying and be the person I've always wanted to be,
Because in the end The Franciscan Center was there for me.
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