Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

Uriah Frisby was abruptly awakened at 1 a.m. by a loud bang and cries for help outside his Altamonte Springs apartment. Upon opening his door, he found the neighboring unit engulfed in flames. His priority was to quickly dress, awaken his daughter, and evacuate their home.

“We left with nothing but the clothes we had on us. It was scary,” Frisby recalled. Within minutes, their apartment too was consumed by fire. Despite the chaos, Frisby tried to shield his daughter from the traumatic scene unfolding around them.

Tragically, an 11-year-old boy lost his life in the April 3rd fire. Reflecting six months later, Frisby expressed gratitude despite losing everything due to canceled renter’s insurance.

“Sitting back and realizing the place I’d built from the ground up for four years was gone hurt deeply,” he shared. As a single parent who had worked hard for everything they owned, it was a devastating loss.

The day after the fire, as he sat amidst the ruins of his life, he discovered their family cat unharmed beneath a couch. The community's response was swift; among those offering aid was Adrian Hodge of Catholic Charities of Central Florida's family stability programs.

Hodge learned about the fire through news reports and reached out to Frisby on social media and via local television stations. Initially skeptical of this outreach, Frisby contacted Hodge who provided much-needed hope.

“It was a great feeling there was someone there to help a family in need,” said Frisby.

Catholic Charities assisted in finding housing for Frisby's family and supported them throughout rebuilding their lives. “Adrian went with me to get furniture,” noted Frisby gratefully.

His daughter Elliana is content with her new home and room at school alongside her friends remains unchanged: “My new room is bigger,” she remarked happily about having princess-themed furnishings.

Frisby has adopted an optimistic outlook: “Sometimes you have to get rid of old things to start anew... Good came out of this situation.”

“Catholic Charities is definitely a beacon of hope for families like ours," said Frisby acknowledging how crucial support can be during difficult times.

President Deacon Gary Tester emphasized Catholic Charities’ mission: “We are compelled by Jesus’ call… In this situation… Adrian Hodge heard that inner call." He added that responding compassionately aligns perfectly with what their team strives toward daily service inspired by Matthew 25 as St Teresa described it - ‘You did it unto me.’