After leaving everything behind, Cindy found safety, community, and a path forward—and now she’s helping others do the same.
After 35 years, Cindy made the hardest decision of her life. She left.
For Cindy, leaving an abusive relationship meant choosing safety, but it also meant stepping into the unknown. Suddenly, Cindy had no place to go, no clear path forward, and no certainty about what came next.
“I realized after I left… I had no place to be.”
That moment, both terrifying and necessary, led her to St. John’s Ministries.
Finding Strength in the Struggle
What could have been the lowest point in Cindy’s life became something unexpected. A blessing in disguise, for both Cindy and those around her.
While staying at St. John’s Ministries, Cindy built relationships, supported others, and even helped de-escalate difficult situations. Her strength didn’t just carry her forward; it began lifting others up too.
“In shelter, I began to rediscover my voice, my confidence, and my sense of self,” said Cindy. “I became someone others were drawn to. I had a light that I didn’t know was shining.”
A Different Kind of Family
During Cindy’s time in shelter, she met Lori.
Their friendship grew quickly, rooted in shared experiences and a mutual desire to move forward. When the opportunity for housing came, Cindy made a bold and unconventional decision—she asked Lori to move in with her.
“Something told me I had to,” Cindy stated. “I needed someone to care for me because of my physical limitations, and Lori needed someone to look after her and make sure she was living a healthy lifestyle.”
To this day—years later—they are still living together, supporting one another, holding each other accountable, and building a stable life. Lori is now employed as a caretaker for Cindy and thriving in her recovery journey.
“We take care of each other. That’s why it works.”
Stability, Growth, and Purpose
Cindy is also making a life of her own. She is pursuing her degree in psychology while maintaining a 4.0 GPA in an accelerated program.
“My goal is to advocate for others, especially those struggling with mental health and recovery,” Cindy said with a smile. “I want to ensure those who are struggle feel heard and supported.”
Cindy’s lived experience in shelter and with Lori has become her greatest strength while moving forward in her life.
Giving Back
Even after leaving shelter, Cindy never truly left St. John’s Ministries and they never left her.
Cindy returns weekly as an office reception volunteer at St. John’s Ministries Men’s Shelter. She answers phones, accepts donations, and helps individuals seeking services. Drawing from her own experience, Cindy has helped improve how individuals are connected to the right resources and programs at St. John’s Ministries.
More Than a Shelter
Cindy (and Lori) are participants in St. John’s Ministries’ Lasting Change Program. For her, St. John’s is more than a shelter—it’s a community that doesn’t disappear once you leave.
Focused on providing aftercare to former guests once they are housed, Lasting Change exists to make sure basic needs are met and individuals are successful in their housing.
Tollef Wienke, Program Coordinator for Lasting Change and Street Outreach says, “Lasting Change isn’t just about someone getting housed, it’s about helping them stay housed.”
St. John’s Ministries remains connected and involved with willing participants, offering support and resources, so participants not only survive, but begin to heal, grow, and thrive.
“St. John’s is my home. It’s my family. That didn’t stop just because I move out,” Cindy said with emotion. “It shows that they (St. John’s Ministries) care. They don’t just leave you and say, ‘good luck’.”
The continued connection, through check-ins, support, and relationships, has been key not only to Cindy’s success, but to Lori’s as well.
A Message to the Community
Cindy’s message is simple, but powerful: Get involved.
“Volunteer, donate, and advocate. Spend time at St. John’s Ministries and get to know the people. They’re human beings. They have names. They have stories.”
Behind every number is a person—someone who, with the right support, can rebuild, rediscover, and rise again. Like Cindy and Lori, each person has the power to overcome obstacles. St. John’s Ministries grateful to play a part in their journey and the journey of so many others served in our community.
Interested in getting involved?
Donate: You can visit our Ways to Give page to make a gift today, or learn more about specific areas of funding by contacting our Director of Development, Amy McNeely at amcneely@stjohnsgreenbay.org | (920) 617-8716.
Volunteer: St. John’s Ministries welcomes new volunteers throughout the year. Whether sorting donations, serving meals, or simply offering a warm smile, every act of service helps lift our neighbors and strengthen our community.
To learn more or sign up to volunteer, visit or volunteer page or contact Volunteer Coordinator, Brooke Graham at bgraham@stjohnsgreenbay.org.
