Back on Their Feet

Lisa and Gerald live in a multifamily affordable housing complex with their child.  Lisa is the primary wage earner for the family. When she needed surgery on her hand, she was unable to work for three months,

The family was notified that a technicality in the unemployment system would delay benefits for eight weeks. Lisa and Gerald had briefly met their LifeSTEPS Director of Social Services at a resident meeting, but never thought they would need her help. With very few resources while they waited for unemployment funds, they remembered that LifeSTEPS was available to them.

Their social worker was able to secure assistance from the local Salvation Army for one-time financial assistance for a portion of the family’s rent. She also mediated an agreement with the property manager for the family to pay the remainder in installments.

For assistance with utility bills, the LifeSTEPS social worker referred Lisa and Gerald to the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). As part of LifeSTEPS’ ongoing programs, onsite food distribution was available to them as well.

Giving Back

63-year-old Violet relocated to a new city in order to move in with her adult son and his family. However, family tensions made it impossible for Vi to remain in her son’s home and after only a few months she moved to an affordable housing complex. With few assets, she soon sold her belongings in order to pay her bills.

She carried significant debt from student loans, having returned to school late in life. She also maintained debt from a business venture and several credit cards. Added to her financial problems, Vi has fibromyalgia that causes her constant pain and prevents her from working.

Once she had exhausted her few personal resources, Vi experienced severe emotional distress and the fear of possible eviction. She contacted her LifeSTEPS Director of Social Services, who enlisted the help of the supportive property management staff to expedite her application for subsidized housing. Her social worker made referrals on her behalf to local nonprofit agencies. Violet followed up on her referrals and was able to gain monthly food assistance and rental assistance from a local church group. She was also assisted in finding a fibromyalgia support group and low cost hair styling.

Although her life is dramatically different than it was a year ago, Vi has successfully found a home and developed a network of support. She is currently planning to volunteer at her senior community by teaching photography.

A New Home

Arlene moved to California recently. Now in her 60s, she worked as a floral designer for 30 years and fully expected to continue working in order to afford her apartment in a senior low income housing community.  However, she was unable to find a job at a floral shop in her new city due to a shortage of jobs in that industry.

She learned of the availability of LifeSTEPS at her new home, and contacted her Director of Social Services for help.  Her social worker met with her and reviewed her resume.   She was then referred to the Senior Employment Training program funded through the Older Americans Act, which helps low-income seniors re-enter the job market and obtain new employable skills.  Her social worker also taught her how to access Internet job sites, which led to a successful job search.  Without this help, she would not have been able to afford her monthly rent and could have lost her housing.

Arlene is now settled in her new job and secure in her housing, and is eager to refer her neighbors to LifeSTEPS when they find themselves in need of special assistance.