A Little Extra Help Goes a Long Way

Pete joined the LifeSTEPS After School Program after being referred by the Tamarack Elementary School. His Teacher, Mrs. Ernst, had informed Pete’s mom that he needed additional tutoring to work on his writing skills. Tamarack Elementary does not have an after school program, but the school is familiar with the LifeSTEPS After School Program available to Pete at El Palmar Apartments. When Pete first started attending he was shy and timid. He was the only child in the program who was given extra work from his teacher. He was so busy completing homework that he never had enough time to participate in organized play or prize-winning contests. LifeSTEPS staff reminded Pete it would only be temporary and soon he would be participating in all of the LifeSTEPS activities. Judith, the After School Program Coordinator, began to work with Pete personally every chance she had. His mother was amazed at how quickly Pete's skills were improving. His teacher also noticed the improvement and no longer assigns him extra work. Pete’s teacher was excited to know that the After School Program was able to help Pete especially since the budget cuts have shut down the Tamarack Elementary after school programs. Pete now comes to the program with a smile knowing that he will have time to play and participate with the other kids. His mother credits Pete’s improvement to the special help he received from our Program Coordinator. She has since volunteered to help at LifeSTEPS activities.  "When LifeSTEPS and schools work together we can impact and change the lives of children, one at a time!" says Erick, Director of Social Services for the site.

Tanya is active on the Heritage Park Senior Apartments Activities Committee.  She hosts movie night, assists with the weekly BUNCO group and is always willing to go the extra mile to help her neighbors.  When Tanya encountered financial hardship she turned to her LifeSTEPS Director of Social Services for guidance.  Together they reviewed her income and expenses and set up a budget.  In order to make ends meet, Tanya cancelled her cable and internet services and spent less on groceries by accessing food commodities with the help of LifeSTEPS.  Tanya says she doesn't know how she would have managed without the help of her DSS.  She realizes that she might have lost her apartment.

During this time LifeSTEPS started the “Controlling your Finances” workshop where Tanya learned principles that she applied to her situation.  With the personal support from her DSS and the skills she learned at the finance class Tanya is successfully living within her budget and has even been able to get her cable and internet services reinstated.

In November, Jill and Ken were referred to LifeSTEPS Director of Social Services because they were in danger of being evicted due to unpaid rent. They had both been laid off work. Ken was receiving unemployment and Jill enrolled full-time in vocational training to increase her earning potential by becoming a medical assistant. They have a two year old daughter and they care for Jill's young brother, Joe, because his mother is frequently in jail. Jill and Ken were not receiving any financial support to care for Joe, including medical insurance. 

After multiple meetings with DSS Rebecca and RDSS Jennifer Savin, LifeSTEPS agreed to provide rental assistance from the Bank of America Emergency Assistance Grant, provided Jill and Ken actively pursued a solution for their situation. Together they determined it was critical that they get medical insurance for Joe, begin pursuing legal custody of him, write a letter of hardship requesting reduced rent, and come up with half of the rent balance themselves. As a result, they received $200 rent reduction for five months, and Joe's father has agreed to pay for his son’s medical insurance. They are also pursuing legal custody as this is in Joe's best interest.

Since loss of employment was the root cause of their hardship, Ken and Jill attended educational classes with LifeSTEPS on employment counseling and preparing resumes, effective job searches, interviewing techniques, and career planning. Jason applied for 20 jobs before being hired full time for a job in his field, automotive technology, which is close to his home. Jill is currently applying for jobs as she continues to attend college. They have also received counseling on how to deal with stress and family dynamics.

What a credit to this family that their hard work and persistence would pay off.  LifeSTEPS is honored to be part of the safety net, in partnership with property management that helped this family maintain housing during a financial crisis. LifeSTEPS continues working with the family and offers them support and services as needed.