Client Spotlight: Francisco

Francisco is a 45-year-old father, artist, and God’s Love client. Having grown up and lived in downtown Manhattan, Puerto Rico, the Bronx, and Yonkers, Francisco has finally settled down in East Harlem.

Francisco has always had a passion for the arts and spend much of his teen years in the studio making ceramic art and woodworking. As an adult, Francisco supported his art with jobs in the security and food services industries. He was determined to provide for himself.

Nine years ago, Francisco developed a severe neurological condition that caused him to fall into a coma. When he woke up, his whole world had changed. He could no longer walk and speaking was almost impossible.
After several years in a rehabilitation home, Francisco moved into his own apartment. For the first time in years, Francisco was on his own, and now had to learn to navigate life in a small NYC apartment in a wheelchair. Shopping and cooking became impossible because of muscle deterioration and constant shaking. He often resorted to eating fast food and candy, rarely eating meals with good nutritional value.

Francisco says, “I was unhealthy and felt miserable. And there was nothing I could do about that until God’s Love came along.”

At the advice of his social worker, Francisco applied for our program and started receiving meals.
Immediately, he started gaining strength and feeling better. Before contacting us, Francisco struggled with elevated cholesterol levels due to his poor diet. Since has been on our program, he has lost weight and learned from our Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDNs) to avoid junk food, salt, and soda. He tells us, “I feel happier because I know I’m putting good stuff in my body.”

By having delicious and nutritious food prepared by caring staff and volunteers delivered right to his door, Francisco no longer has to worry about where his next meal is coming from. He’s also learned more about good nutrition, and has a wonderful working relationship with our RDNs. He says, “Now, I know to stay away from salt. I always knew the importance of balanced meals but it was so difficult to get them. Fast food restaurants don’t specialize in good, balanced meals the way that God’s Love does!”