One Monday afternoon, Mission First Supportive Housing: Edison Director of Program Management Melissa Mascolo shared a photo of Ana Alvarez’ cat celebrating his second birthday. The modest but beautifully decorated cake sitting at the feet of the orange tabby served as a small but bright distraction from the day’s business. However, this kitten and his cake sparked a thought about its owner, an individual who clearly cherishes the little things.

Ana Alvarez immigrated to the U.S. from Guatemala 45 years ago along with five of her siblings and her parents and has lived in Edison since. Despite proximity to her family and familiarity of community, she has faced her share of challenges. Now feeling settled and happy with Mission First, she credits maintaining “positivity, hope and faith” as major contributors to the gratitude and happiness she feels as a resident.

Prior to her residency at Mission First, Ana was living in a basement apartment. Often leaky due to the owner’s neglect, her social worker’s promises to alleviate her situation only ended up mirroring that neglect. “Three months became 11 years,” she said, reflecting without a hint of malice. Ana was eventually told she had to leave. Her family had their own lives and challenges, and with limited access to housing and resources, she found herself living in her car with her dog.

She could have been bitter, but hers is a story of paying it forward. With help from Catholic Charities in 2023, Ana eventually found herself at our property in Melissa’s office. Since 2024, she has been a Mission First resident. “In four months of homelessness, I met beautiful, sincere people,” she said, voice leaping with joy, “so many genuine hugs.” Her approach to community involvement is much like a genuine hug, full of warmth and wisdom.

Her engagement in the Consumer Participation Committee (CPC) may be credited to some persuasion from Melissa, but the consistency, attitude and energy she approaches it with are all her own. “They wanted to move me to Toms River,” she mused, “I am grateful! This is my hometown and I get to stay here.” The gratitude shines through.

She is matter of fact when talking about her work on the CPC, seeing her participation as a natural part of membership in a healthy community. “Edison is my home, this is my community…I participate in everything,” she asserted. Furthermore, she has found a sanctuary at Mission First and is excited to spend more time in the garden with her neighbors, learn about healthy eating and try new things. “It makes me forget about my illnesses,” said Ana of her engagement. “When I’m active and learning I forget about my back pain, my fibromyalgia and my arthritis.”

Her particular brand of resilience, an ability to accept the bitter along with the sweet, is what makes her such a valuable participant in the CPC. Her sunny demeanor, due to the wisdom gained from navigating life’s storms and knowing she will not only come out on the other side, but be better for it. She takes immense pride in “being a part of a group that is sharing hope,” pausing to emphasize, “Not help. Hope.” Her advice to others living in supportive housing or transitioning to it, rings with that sentiment. “Participate! Be active for good mental health. Love animals!”

Her involvement in the community is how she practices gratitude. She reiterates how grateful she is to have settled in Edison, close to a network of family, friends, support and resources. Speaking of her goals, she says they are few, she’s content to stay at Mission First and take care of her home, her cat and her community as a member who has weathered the storm and is now happy to guide others to proverbial shelter.

She spoke frequently of not only love but respect for her neighbors, but also of positivity, faith and hope. Ana lost her dog, a faithful companion of 13 years, a few months into her residence at Mission First. Her advice to others appears to be advice she lives by. For Ana, resilience and healing lie in the little things, such as honoring the struggles of the past, actively practicing gratitude for the gifts of the present and using each to create a brighter future not only for herself but for others.

Since that bright Monday afternoon moment, Ana and her experiences have shifted into greater focus. It becomes clear that the same hands that baked that birthday cake are the same hands touching her community with positivity, faith and hope.