“It’s not easy to be an asylum seeker,” says Chantal, “It’s a very difficult, very difficult step.” Chantal had to make the choice to flee the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Her path to hope started when she knocked on Vive’s door on a cold winter night. Her trauma fresh and seeking safety, Chantal along with her 11-year-old daughter, found her way to Vive in Buffalo. There is an invisible network of third cousins, old neighbors, friends of friends, and distant acquaintances that spread the word about a remarkable shelter in Buffalo, NY, that will help you if you must make the unbearable decision to flee your homeland.

Describing her decision to leave with her daughter, Chantal said, “You’re changing all your life, your culture, your food, the way you have to live.”

The United States has a very defined process (rules) for asylum seekers to follow. Without Vive, Chantal knew she would fail.

Vive really matters! Coming to the door, Chantal recalls she thought they were going to ask her a lot of questions. Instead, the first thing they asked is “Are you hungry? Do you want to eat something?”

Chantal and her daughter were able to stay at Vive for six months. They were able to receive clothing, legal aid, housing and meals, medical care, English classes, and job training. Wary of what her life would be like, Chantal shared that she certainly did not expect to go anywhere in the U.S., knock on the door and feel welcomed. She is especially grateful for the opportunity to go back to school. “I was an accountant back home and would love to do that here too.” Having completed her GED and Associates degree in Business Administration, Chantal is attending Canisius College for accounting.

“I will always say thanks to Vive for that because Vive made me what I am in the U.S.”