Montgomery County Emergency Assistance is grateful for the opportunity to serve the community. These cases below prove that, with funding generated by concerned citizens and distributed by trained case managers, we can work together to make a difference in the lives of our neighbors.
1. Ms. T is a single mother of two boys, ages 10 and 4. In November of 2001 her 10-year-old son was diagnosed with Burkett's Lymphoma, a rare high-risk form of cancer. Although the mother had a letter from M.D. Anderson Cancer Center stating that, due to the child's diagnosis the mother was required to stay with the child at all times, Ms. T did not have anyone to help her. As her son's condition worsened, she missed increasing amounts of work trying to care for him and eventually lost her job. Ms. T participates in Montgomery County Housing Authority's Family Self-Sufficiency Program, a time-limited housing assistance project providing intensive case management to families working to become permanently financially independent. Ms. T had been working diligently towards her educational and other goals, and her income had increased to the point that she was paying most of her rent herself. The loss of her job was a devastating blow, and by the rules of the federal FSS program, put her at risk of sinking all the way back down into total dependency upon government assistance, or worse -- homelessness. Funds generated through the support of our donors helped buy Ms. T enough time to find another job with more flexible hours and balance the healthcare needs of her child against the survival needs of her family. At the time of this report, Ms. T's son is in remission, requiring quarterly health checks, and she has resumed college courses to enhance her ability to weather any future financial crises on her own.
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2. Mr. and Mrs. K came to MCEA with an eviction notice. Mr. K is on Social Security Disability and Mrs. K had injured her back at work and had been on Worker's Compensation. Mrs. K had been released to return to her job driving a delivery van, however her employer insisted she take on additional responsibilities which would require lifting weight off the floor. When Mrs. K refused to take on the additional work, citing her prior back injury, her job ended. MCEA was able to help the K's to remain in their home and continue to work toward resolving her dispute with the former employer.
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3. Barbara C. came to the South County office with her college-student daughter looking for a better environment with more job opportunities in the medical field. Although classified as disabled, her daughter works part-time, however Barbara has found it impossible to find employment, largely due to her own health problems. She has Hemochromatosis, a genetic disorder which requires her to have blood drawn out of her body every six weeks to control the amount of iron that builds up in her system. It is a life-threatening condition. During a recent hospital stay, she found out she also has Diabetes. At the point she came to Emergency Assistance, Barbara had completely depleted her savings, and though the staff at Gulf Coast Careers were optimistic that she would find employment soon, she was discouraged and worried about her own mounting medical bills. MCEA was able to prevent eviction, and bought Barbara and Elizabeth additional time to get back on track. MCEA will continue working with this family to find other avenues of assistance and support.
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4. Shaunia D. was unable to continue to work for her employer due to circumstances with her pregnancy. A letter from her former employer confirmed that the conditions and work rules put a hardship on Shaunia, who is six months pregnant. To protect the health of both Shaunia and her unborn baby, she and her employer decided it was best if she did not continue to work there. Through the support of concerned donors, the burden of eviction was lifted off Shaunia's shoulders while she looked for work more suitable for her condition. She began working temporary assignments while she looked for a permanent position, however it is unlikely she will be hired until after she delivers the baby.
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5. The Jeffrey M. Family began having problems 1 1/2 years ago when Jeffrey had to resign from his job due to complications from a medical condition. After a year of heavy medication rendering him unable to work, Mr. M. improved, and began looking for work despite the development of other medical problems. Until this time, the family had been able to function due to Mrs. M.'s income, however her work hours were abruptly cut in half due to a downturn in the real estate industry, and the family required and received assistance from family, friends and church. At that point, Mr. M.'s elderly mother developed breathing difficulties and underwent extensive testing and was placed on home oxygen 24-hours per day. Although Medicare covers many of the senior Mrs. M.'s medical expenses, her oxygen and certain tests are not covered, and her frailty prohibited her continuing to live alone, so Jeffrey brought his mother to live with the family. By the time Jeffrey cam to MCEA for help, he was past due on bills, was facing cancellations, late fees, penalties and repossessions, and had exhausted all aid from other sources. His wife had recently returned to full time employment, he was looking for suitable assisted living for his mother, and expected to be able to resume his job search in 60 to 90 days. MCEA determined he was an excellent candidate for assistance.
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6. Connie B. originally came to MCEA needing assistance with her rent because she was laid off from her job due to the restaurant closing down without any notice. Connie's 12-year-old daughter has Juvenile Diabetes I and asthma, and requires frequent hospitalization and bed rests. Due to her daughter's health, Connie is aware she would be better off finding work that can be flexible and include working from home during her daughter's difficult periods. She has been taking an occupational training course over the internet, which she hopes to complete soon. Without any hope of getting any type of unemployment from her waitressing job, and only child support income coming into the household, Connie became very determined to find a job. Within a couple of days she had found a job and MCEA was able to help her get back on her feet through the rental assistance program. Connie is an enthusiastic woman, eager to improve her situation. Subsequent to assistance, she has attended every LifeSills workshop offered by the agency to learn more about budgeting, nutrition, household repairs, decision making, and other relevant topics. Bcause MCEA was able to alleviate her most pressing concern, she has availed herself of other services the agency offers which will have a lasting positive impact.
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7. Mr. J had never received assistance before for his family of four. He is now having medical problems with his heart, and brought in a letter from his physician stating he is also under care for a mental disability. Mr. J is trying to get Social Security benefits, and has retained a lawyer to help him with his case. Mrs. J was working until she had to have major surgery. When the doctor released her to return to work, she found her employer had replaced her. Mrs. J is now employed at a temporary, part-time job, however the family is struggling to make ends meet until Mr. J's Disability case can be settled and, hopefully, payments will be made. Due to the decrease in Mrs. J's income and the possibility of more stable income in the future, MCEA was able to assist this family to stay in their home.
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8. Mrs. B was in need of help with her mortgage due to her husband being injured and under a doctor's care, unable to work. Mrs. B works only part-time because she home-schools her three children. Although Mrs. B could put the children in public school and go to work full-time, the family had a strong value around the home-schooling, and hoped to be able to hold out until Mr. B could return to work without disrupting the childrens' educational process. MCEA was able to assist this family through the rental assistance program.
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