Southeast CDC’s Family Stability Program provides case management services and financial assistance to families who have a utility turn off notice or who are at risk of losing their home. Read on for an inspirational story of how our staff support their clients.
Before April of 2016, Rocio had been living the American dream for more than 15 years. The Central American native had a partner, a home and three school-aged children. Then one day, the father of her children left, with no intentions of providing financial support for the family.
Suddenly, Rocio found herself in a precarious position as an undocumented immigrant, working part-time and falling behind on rent and utilities. When the threat of eviction approached, she reached out to the Family Stability Program at her children’s school. Her case manager set to work immediately, convincing Rocio’s landlord to forgive a portion of her debt and agree to a payment plan. Through client assistance funds, she was able to catch up on BGE and water bills. With the biggest crisis averted, the case manager was able to then focus on Rocio’s primary goal – increasing her income so she could support her children.
When it came time to appeal to the state for child support, Rocio’s case manager helped her fill out the applications and accompanied her to follow-up meetings. Occasional housekeeping jobs provided supplemental income and helped her to keep the bills current. When a more stable position opened with a local catering company, her case manager helped her snag the job, even helping Rocio to obtain a work permit for her teenage son so he could work there as well. Her American dream rekindled, Rocio began working with a local immigration agency, filing an application for legal status and to obtain her official work visa. She graduated from the Family Stability Program in June 2017, and has since been a walking example of perseverance to her three children.
*All names have been changed.
Featured artwork by Maria Cavacos.