After the loss of a job, family is on the brink of homelessness
Editor's note: The Time is Now to Help was founded by a local businessman who knew extreme poverty as a child. With the help of donations from the community, The Time is Now is able to help local residents in need.
Dear W.C.,
We were once a happy, productive family. My husband had a good job, and I had my own home-based business. We have two children, one with special needs, so it was my decision to work out of our home so I could care for our children.
Last year, my husband was let go from his job. The business he worked for was going under, and he lost his benefits; we were left without health insurance. We couldn't pay for COBRA, much less our house payments. My business already had declined to almost nothing.
We have tried to apply for housing assistance, but cannot qualify as long as we still own our home. I was told there is about a 27-month waiting list for housing assistance anyway. We have been applying for jobs everywhere. We are highly educated individuals with excellent resumes, but it doesn't seem to matter. There are about 200 people ahead of us for each job.
We are in the process of foreclosure. I have sold everything I could to keep food on the table and pay for my son's special medical needs. We are living on borrowed time in our empty house until we have to move out. I am afraid to even think we may end up sleeping in our remaining car. All we have left are our beds and some clothing. I sold everything else we owned, including our other car, for much less than it was worth.
I know you probably have heard what seems to be the same story a lot lately. We are the face of the new poverty-stricken in America. Please help us.
The new poverty-stricken
Dear readers,</strong.
The writer of this letter is correct. I am hearing nearly the same story over and over lately.
The economic climate has forced many formerly prosperous families into becoming homeless and dependent on assistance. The American dream of owning a home, driving a nice car and eating good food seems to have become a thing of the past.
If our government leaders cannot find a way to improve our economy to the point that the average American can stay in business, keep a job, feed their family, are they going to be able to support the number of people applying for welfare?
For the most part, we are a nation willing to work, and work hard. We cannot work if there are no jobs available to us.
This family could not receive housing assistance. We stepped in just in time to help them pay the first month rent and security deposit on a small apartment. I could not see their two beautiful children, especially the youngest with special needs, living in a car. How do you even begin to tell your children you have to live in a car?
We provided them with food, gas vouchers, gift certificates for daily necessities, and directed them where to obtain clothing for the growing children.
Her husband has taken a job much below his abilities, without benefits, with a temp agency. It is not permanent, but helps to pay the bills for now.
They are just hoping that housing assistance becomes available to them some time in the future, because it will still be a struggle for them to survive on the much-reduced income.
Everywhere you look in our world, humanity seems to be struggling to survive. Every country, state, county, city and town is seeing the effects of poverty and joblessness.
We all need to do what we can to improve the lives of those struggling around us. God bless the many individuals working to change government policies, and fighting against oppression and disease.
Our world and country are in turmoil. Half of all children in the world live in poverty. Approximately 25,000 children die each day across the world due to poverty. About $780 billion is spent each year worldwide on military items, yet only $13 billion is spent on basic health and nutrition.
These facts can be overwhelming and depressing. The greed and corruption of government leaders has led many into the anguish and pain of poverty.
We all should be aware of the blessings around us, especially the one of helping the many in need to reduce those overwhelming statistics.
Health and happiness, God bless, W.C.
A special thank you to Michael and Sue Borden, Dick and Jean Honeyager, Peck and Weis, Tony Hanley, William and Jean Isaacson, Paper Dolls, Martin O'Brien, Jim and Karen Goodrick, Albert and Ellen Burnell, Dawn Jorgensen Heiser, Beuford and Ruth Breidenstein, Tom and Joyce Roche, Drescher Family Charitable Foundation, W.C. Family Resource Center/Food Pantry volunteers, Bill and Lois McEssy, and John and Marlys Schuerman.</em.
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