A close friend is going through a VERY rough time. Her husband lost his job and has started a new one, but the pay is significantly less for now. She is pregnant with her 3rd child and money is super tight. They are dangerously close to losing one of their vehicles (which they need to keep their jobs) and their house will probably be next. They have less than a week to come up with enough to supplement his paycheck to pay one car payment to keep the car, a HUGE electric bill (which they already got an extension on and are out of time) and a house payment to keep the house. Can anyone recommend any charitable organizations they may be able to contact?
They have already tried to work with HUD about the house but they have not gotten much help there. And their mortgage company's hardship dept is taking their time offering ANY sort of assistance. They are waiting to hear from the food stamp office about an appt, they qualify but they have to wait up to 2 weeks for an appointment.
Any ideas are welcome here....I knwo all this stress cant be good for her or her baby.
Thanks moms :)
One organization that comes to mind is St. Vincent de Paul, a Catholic charity. The family doesn't have to be Catholic to receive help. They can help with job placement and strategies to overcome some of the financial problems. There are a couple of SVdP organizations in the DFW area: http://www.svdpthrift.org
They can call ###-###-#### for the Webb Chapel location.
Not sure where your friend lives, but there are local United Way agencies that help families based on their ZIP code. For example, in Allen, it is Allen Community Outreach, www.acocares.org. She could call there even if she is not in Allen and they can refer her to an agency in her area. The other place I would go is a church. best wishes.
The White Rose Center is also a very good.
I will keep that family in my prayers.
BE BLESSED!
do her kids go to a private school or mdo? Many churches/synagogues, have special funds set up for these kinds of situations.
Angel food ministries can help with the food portion. Maybe you and your friends can collect, or sell items at a garage sale to come up with some cash.
They can also call their bill collectors, car, and home mortage explain the situation and get an extention due to their circumstances...At least the companies will note they're not paying to just not pay, they can't afford the normal payments and need an adjustment.
She can sell any books, cd's, dvd's videos, magazines etc, to half price books for some quick gas money. They can also sell blood, and plasma. Selling of the childrens older outgrown clothes, shoes, and toys at resale shops can offer some extra money as well.
look around the house and sell things on Ebay, or craigslist.
I pray for the best for your friends.
Does the family attend a church? If they do, they should ask their church for help.
Don't forget about WIC too. I don't know how old her children are but any children under 5 and pregnant/postpartum/breastfeeding women are eligible. I was a nutritionist for the program in Austin and will begin here in a few weeks so I am not sure what the wait time is for an appointment. If she happens to get approved for food stamps in the meanwhile (or receives Medicaid) she will be automatically eligible and won't have to mess with pay stubs and all that!
WIC is a very easy program to get onto as long as you bring all of the paperwork that they tell you to bring!
She will just fill out some very simple paperwork about medical/diet history for the kids and herself and they will do the rest.
WIC will provide things like eggs, milk, cheese, beans, PB, cereals, and juices. And if she is unable to breastfeed the new baby they also offer up to 9 cans of formula per month.
WIC is also a referal program, so they will be able to inform her about more programs that could assist her
Tell her to call 211 (a free public assistance info resource) to get the number for her local WIC. If the wait is too long for that particular clinic she can always ask which one can see her sooner and go to that one and transfer later.
I will be sending my prayers her way. I know they will be able to get through this!
This might sound funny but have to thought about contacting the 106.1 morning show? I know that this time of year they help a lot of people. It's worth a try!
Where do they live? I know of two city organizations that offer assistance - Rockwall Helping Hands and Frisco Family Services (my sister has needed them for assistance). But, you have to be in those city limits to use them. Check to see if her city offers something similar.
Try the local social services agency, also.
Catholic Charities and St. Vincent De Paul Society are wonderful resources. I believe they will help with bills, groceries, etc., no questions asked and you don't have to be Catholic. I have Googled them in the area before and found them, so I know they have offices around here. I would definitely start there.
If they belong to a church someone may be able to contact their Pastor and see if a special collection can be taken up them.
We'll be praying for them.
