Portrait of Homelessness

BY SUSAN MITCHELL

Mariella Pascal, 42

After being born to a 12-year-old mother who almost died during childbirth and a middle aged father, Mariella Pascal was sent from France to live in the United States  with grandparents in New York.

Homelessness began at the age of 5 when mental illness which became Schizophrenia later in life, caused her grandparents to rejected her. 

Pascal said she grew up living under bridges with other kids in New York and New Jersey. Teenage years were spent in facilities run by Roman Catholic nuns and priests. Her worst memories are those of a priest who sold young girls as prostitutes. Pascal said she refused to sell her body for this priest who has since been caught and is serving prison time. Pascal said some of her friends were raped and some were killed while working for the priest.

Her fondest memories are from a Catholic Church Covenant in New York where Mother Teresa met and befriended Pascal. They washed potatoes and vegetables then brewed them into vegetable soup, which Pascal, Mother Teresa and other nuns then served to New York’s homeless.

After becoming an adult, Pascal said she successfully worked at the Bacon Theatre at 72nd and Broadway in New York and rented an apartment there. Her duties included assisting the stage manager. When Michael Jackson fell, Pascal called 911 and the iconic celebrity thanked her.  She also worked for UPS, FedEX and DHL, mostly packaging furniture.

Pascal said she came to Key West two months ago. She spends her day at Publix, Winn- Dixie, Radio Shack and The Dollar Store and Salvation Army buying food and gifts for her friends at the homeless shelter. On Valentine’s day, she bought packs of candy for her homeless friends. “I believe in God,” she said.

Because of a disability Pascal said she cannot work and gets $699 a month from Social Security. She pointed to a swollen leg, which inflates when she walks and causes frequent trips to the emergency room.

Pascal’s hope for the future is to rent an apartment in Homestead. Her friend is already there and waiting for Pascal to save money and join her.

 

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