Client Stories
The recession has sent an unprecedented number of clients to the
doors of Southern Wake Faith Community in Action for help with the emergency
financial needs like light bills, heat, medications and rent – the basics.
Many of our clients had jobs and had paid their bills regularly.
But, a high percentage of SWFCA’s clients are now looking for work or have
had their work hours cut back. Many just cannot find employment or are settling
for less. We are seeing this recession equalize the profile of the needy in
our community in race, color and gender.
There are so many stories to share. Thanks to your financial help we can often help make happier endings for many in our community who struggle with immediate problems.
Note: To protect our clients’ privacy, all names have been changed.
“Julie” came to SWFCA's office desperate and in tears. Her lights were to be cut off that night, and she didn’t have money. Julie was sheltering a niece and her several sick babies from serious domestic violence. At one time, Julie held a good job, owned a home, and even had her pilot’s license, but through life’s troubles was now in public housing and walking to a low paying job. We were able to help Julie with her light bill. She came back one other time for referrals to other resources and was thankful to have the assistance.
“Karen,” a domestic violence victim, was weeping in the hallway of our offices. When we led her into the application interview, she was in obvious pain because beatings had forced her to flee her home. When she came to SWFCA, she was actually living in an undisclosed location. She had lived in this community and still owned a house locally. We helped her obtain a license plate for her car, because she had to have transportation to get to a job from the shelter and to stay mobile in case her husband found her again. She was happy to find more friends and supporters at SWFCA.
“Bill” was sleeping in his car in Fuquay. He had used drugs and was part of motorcycle gang in another city. He had been clean from drugs for several months. Bill realized he could be evil or he could be good. Bill chose to change his life for the better. He needed money for first month’s rent to get established in a decent rooming house safe from drugs. SWFCA was able to help him due to a special grant. Bill said he was thinking about being a mentor to teens when he got back on his feet.
“Lila” is a veteran’s widow. She had a disease in her brain and was struggling to pay bills. She was truly in between options. She was fighting for her disability, and yet could not do any type of work to help pay bills. She needed to pay her light bill. SWFCA was able to help her and also gave her enough other resources to investigate so that she was able to pay her remaining arrears amount for the next month. She was so appreciative of our help she wants to volunteer at SWFCA.
A family of five came to SWFCA. The dad lost a job overnight when a business shut its doors, due to this recession. Along with a coordinated effort with area churches, SWFCA helped them stay in a hotel room for a week while he tried to find a rental house. He was so distraught we had to sit him down and help him get him in touch with the right contacts to for his unemployment application. He came back again and we were able to financially help him with his light bill.
An elderly female lived with her adult son, compromised due to mental illness. They had lived off of the son’s disability. The woman, however, finally left her abusive husband. In trying to set up a new life in their home she drained her resources with deposits for a home and utilities. She was not sleeping well at night because of worrying about how to make it. She was trying to hold small yard sales to raise money. Someone told her about SWFCA. We were able to help her with a light bill. She was so grateful for this one less worry she cried. We also helped her with an action plan to utilize other financial resources.
A single mom was trying to go back to school. However, she was just laid off from an RTP corporation and was out trying to find resource help. Her husband had not paid child support in two years. She was in between getting court-ordered child support and being able to pay her bills again. This woman was proactive, positive and determined not to continue a downward slide. She just needed a bit of help on her rent.
A local woman was at wits end trying to find ways to keep her home. She was having trouble paying her mortgage after her husband abandoned her and their two children. She was so very sad during this interview. She left with information on federal stimulus help for her mortgage and leads to other resources. Although we could not help her financially at that time, she seemed so much more hopeful. She felt supported and knew we were there if she had a utility or lower cost financial need in the future.
