Bill assistance, food and more keeps a roof overhead for a young, single mom working through college

Written by Marisol Saldivar and video by Troy Hill

A small bookshelf sat inside Lauren Garcia’s studio apartment in central Phoenix with biology books on anatomy and histology (the study of the microscopic structure of plant and animal tissues) sharing shelf space with “Goodnight Moon” and “Little Blue Truck.”

Lauren, 22, became a mom to her son, Luka, during her final semesters at Grand Canyon University, where she studied biology with a physician assistant emphasis.  

“It was challenging to be a young single mom as a college student, and it was even more difficult to be a pregnant single mom at a Christian university,” Lauren said. “I really had to hold my head up high and know the greater purpose that I was there for — to obtain my degree — so that more opportunities could open up for my family, for my son who was kicking my stomach in physics class.”

Her modest studio apartment, with a single reading chair, mattress on the floor, and a high-chair for Luka, reflected her priorities: Caring for her almost two-year-old, learning, and living within her income. But making ends meet as a student proved difficult, as she faced a tough job market and breaking into the medical field.  

Lauren landed a contract gig with a whole-body donation organization that specializes in disease research. But being on call didn’t reliably produce enough income to cover all their living expenses. That’s when St. Vincent de Paul came into Lauren and Luka’s lives.

It was nearly December 2025, and with rent coming due, Lauren called numerous nonprofits looking for emergency help.  

“It's like you're holding your breath while you're finding out the different avenues to take,” Lauren said, “and you don't allow yourself to breathe until you figure it out.”

“It's like you're holding your breath while you're finding out the different avenues to take, and you don't allow yourself to breathe until you figure it out.” - Lauren Garcia

SVdP Vincentians, who volunteer in a network of SVdP community food pantries operating out of Catholic Churches and serving families right in their neighborhood, returned Lauren’s call. Patrick Leahy and Bruce Schafer, Vincentians serving out of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, arranged a home visit to deliver Lauren a food box and to better understand how else they might help to stabilize the household.

“Lauren got a little emotional talking about how this all came to be,” Patrick said. “She chose life, and she was doing everything humanly possible to take care of her family, her son. And it struck me — she doesn't understand how brave she is, what courage she has, and that she is so worthy. And of all the home visits that I've done, I had to fight back tears.”

“Of all the home visits that I've done, I had to fight back tears.” - Patrick Leahy

“Lauren is just doing everything right and everything possible,” added Julie Douglas, another SVdP Vincentian from St. Thomas the Apostle who grew close with Lauren. “You just think, how does she have enough hours in the day to be a great mom, keep a roof overhead, go to her job every week, send out more resumes… She's working time-and-a-half to make things work.”

SVdP helped cover Lauren’s rent and utilities, keeping her and Luka safely housed and dispelling Lauren’s fears of being homeless with a toddler. Through continued home visits, SVdP also provided Lauren and Luka with food boxes, grocery and gas gift cards, and even furniture. A voucher to a SVdP thrift store helped Lauren get a kitchen table to eat at and a reading chair, where she and Luka enjoy books together.

“I love to read with Luka. We can be in space if we want to — he loves his space book, or we can pretend we're on a bus and look at zoo animals,” Lauren said. “This is our little home for now.”  

Lauren looks forward to completing her degree this year and hopes her contract gig turns into a full-time position at the lab. She feels she belongs in research work, especially anything with anatomy and pathology.

In the meantime, she’s continuing to piece together gig work with caregiving to build up her income. Lauren has a goal of saving enough for a down payment on a townhome.  

“I am a prime example of someone who receives assistance and is working to better herself daily as a mother, professionally, and as a student at heart.”

“I am a prime example of someone who receives assistance and is working to better herself daily as a mother, professionally, and as a student at heart,” Lauren said. “I'm educated, and I still need help.”

Update: Since interviewing Lauren in the spring of 2026, she’s opted to move herself and Luka in with family to ease pressure and hopefully achieve her financial goals faster. SVdP is honored to have ensured she and Luka never once experienced homelessness or an eviction while sorting their best path to long-term stability.