Standing with a Neighbor in Need

Published: 

A quiet act of compassion that captured national attention

Le Moyne College security officer Paul Rose (left) with Rhea Holmes (right).

When a Syracuse resident needed help, Le Moyne College responded the way it always has – compassionately, and guided by a deep belief in the dignity of every person.

In late 2025, Rhea Holmes, 55, was living at Oakwood Cemetery after the sudden loss of her husband, followed by job loss and eviction. As winter approached, Syracuse Police Officer James Pastorello (pictured above, with Rhea) became aware of her situation and began working to connect her with care, safety and long-term support.

Through a network of local relationships, a community member reached out to Le Moyne College President Linda LeMura to ask whether the College could help. Recognizing the urgency of the moment, Le Moyne offered to provide Rhea with temporary housing in a campus residence while school was out for winter break.

There was a window where we could help, and it was simply the right thing to do. Le Moyne’s Jesuit mission calls on us to serve others with a strong commitment to social justice, so helping Rhea is simply something that is in our DNA.

Linda LeMura President of Le Moyne College

At the same time, the wider Syracuse community came together with remarkable generosity. Among the first to answer the call was A Tiny Home for Good, a Syracuse-based nonprofit dedicated to providing dignified, affordable housing, founded by Le Moyne alumnus Andrew Lunetta ’12.

Hear from Andrew Lunetta '12 about Rhea's story.

National Media Takes Notice

What began as a quiet act of compassion soon captured local and national attention.

See the People magazine coverage: Woman was living in cemetery after husband’s death, then College, police helped
Watch the CBS News feature: A widow’s grief, and an angel’s compassion
Read how community members helped Rhea on Syracuse.com: How a police officer helped a woman sleeping in a Syracuse cemetery find a home

Finding Renewed Hope

Through this collective effort, Rhea transitioned into a permanent tiny home in early January 2026 – a place not just of shelter, but of renewed hope.

Anyone beginning again needs a place where they can feel safe, and offering a home to Rhea was something she needed in order to take the next step. This is what’s possible when people lead with compassion and work together.

Andrew Lunetta '12 Founder and Executive Director of A Tiny Home for Good

At Le Moyne College, this moment reflects a timeless truth: education rooted in faith and justice does not end at the campus gates. It lives in how we respond – with empathy, humility, and a willingness to help – when our neighbors need us most.

Take a Deeper Dive

Inspired by this story?

Explore more about service at Le Moyne.

Learn more about Dolphins for Humanity in our Club Spotlight
Learn more about A Tiny Home for Good
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