Client Stories

A cheerful, spry 93 year-old, Jessie is now a widow relying on Social Security. She is independent and still drives from her home in Orient to Greenport to see friends and go shopping. She comes to CAST for bread, fresh produce, and meat due to the high cost of groceries. Jessie is very grateful for our help and often donates items for others, giving back to our neighbors in need.

A vivacious, young single woman, Kerstan is making a life in her hometown of Greenport, always looking for opportunities to better herself. She enjoys fashion and was a model at CAST’s Runway Show. She has her own business making wigs and has benefited from our free Tax Prep program. She sometimes comes to CAST for food as the cost of living continues to rise. Kerstan fills in at CAST with her bright smile, assisting our neighbors in need.

A bright and dedicated mother, Aura came to the North Fork to join her husband and give her children a better life. After working hard and learning English, she has become a U.S. citizen. As a former teacher in Guatemala, she understands the value of education. Her young son, Bryan, participated in CAST’s Parent-Child Home Program. Now Aura will begin working for CAST as an Early Learning Specialist, giving back to other young families in the community.

A young man working hard to complete his college education, you can find Dedrick at the computer at CAST doing his school assignments to become a college graduate. He works part-time, but sometimes needs a little help to make ends meet. Dedrick comes to our Sharing Room to get clothes or household items. To express his gratitude for the support he gets from CAST, Dedrick is always more than willing to help us out when needed. Randee

A devoted husband and father, Venancio has lived and worked on the North Fork for 18 years. He is a permanent legal resident and continues to learn English when time allows. He holds two jobs: farm property manager and restaurant worker. He spends his days painting, doing maintenance, and landscaping. At night, Venancio heads to the restaurant to do food prep and dishwashing. He is committed to providing for his family to give them a better life.