Maria Gonzalez
Single mother of two · Joined Catalyst, March 2023
I left with my kids and a garbage bag. I didn't have a plan — I had a phone number someone wrote on a napkin. That napkin was Catalyst.
Within 72 hours, Maria was connected to an emergency childcare co-op so she could attend a housing intake appointment. Within two weeks, she had a $1,200 microloan to cover her first month's rent and a mentorship circle of seven other women who'd navigated the same system.
Fourteen months later, Maria completed her paralegal certification at night school. She now leads Catalyst's East Side mentorship circle — the same one that held her.
Month 1
Emergency housing + childcare
Month 3
Microloan approved, enrolled in school
Month 14
Certified paralegal, now a mentor
No application. No judgment. Just a seat at the table.
