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A single, pregnant woman asked if we would provide the initial deposit for her low income apartment. She had been residing in a less than adequate room and finally had the opportunity to have her own apartment. We made that payment for her, because she had already paid the other needed deposits, and this was the only obstacle to have her own home. She is working and is able to sustain the rent on her own.
A Honduran couple, the grandmother and four children requested aid with a delinquent bill. The father works construction periodically. The grandmother works part time at a retail store, and the mother stays home to take care of the smaller children. A portion of the delinquent bill was paid for which the family was most grateful.
A couple with two children asked if we could help them pay their rent. Neither of the parents is working, and their rent is a fair amount. the father is trying to secure another job after being terminated from his last job. If we don't address the issue through counsel, many times the individual will continue making the same decisions that caused their dismissal. We paid a portion of the delinquent rent, since the amount was reasonable. In other cases, we have suggested the family seek an affordable place to rent, because they are renting a home that is no longer in their existing budget. Fortunately, we have had the occasion to tell people they can't afford the place they are thinking of renting based on their probable sustainable income.
A couple of ladies from Mexico, who have lived in our area for over ten years, have seen for the first time they lay-offs and job slowdowns they haven't experienced before. They were so thankful for the financial aid SMARM provided. Many times we have experienced the true appreciation for services rendered by some of our foreign clients, and they don't seem to have the attitude of entitlement that many of our locals expect.
A couple, one of wich receives a disability check, needed additional funds for a high utility bill. They have taken in two nephews and have not yet received any financial help from the family or the state. With the help of some other agencies, the utility bill was paid.
Dick Wellons,
Director
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