SIngle mom w/ 4 kids becomes homeless – 5/16/14

Stephanie, a Summerville mom is a mother of four children, ages 9, 9, 4 and a one year old.  Her husband was recently arrested and jailed for some outstanding bench warrant and they have been renting a house in town.  Recently the electric and water were shut off and she called the landlord about it and he told her the house was foreclosed on, utilities were terminated and they needed to get out.  Her case came to Change for a Dollar through an ARC owner who works for the school district and shared the details of the circumstances. 

Stephanie was trying to find a place to stay and was reaching out to various agencies for help but was overwhelmed at the moment.  She had sought help from her husband’s parents (the children’s grandparents) but when she stopped by they told her they did not have room for the five of them and they gave her a bag full of candles and told her to go back to the house they were being evicted from.

The needs of this woman are great but Change for a Dollar at a minimum offered to put her up in a local hotel for two nights so the children would have a place to stay and it bought her some time to try to find additional resources and help for her family.

Amount $158.94

Change for a Dollar – 5/12/14

Lisa, a single mom from Summerville, who had to recently leave her husband due to domestic violence is caring for her 3 yr. old granddaughter as well as her two teenage sons.  Her daughter had been living with her since March but left the house a few weeks ago and has abandoned her daughter to her mother’s care.  It also became evident this past week she was arrested and is currently in jail.  The mother's case came to Change for a Dollar through an ARC owner who works with the woman and was made aware of the circumstances.  Also the grandmother’s car recently broke down and she is borrowing a car to get to work but has missed some work as a result of the extra burden of caring for her own children and the grandchild.  She is seeking help from Social Services who is helping her get legal custody so she can get some assistance for the grandchild.  Her co-workers have been helping her as well but she complained this week she had no food for the children and her rent was past due as she didn’t have the full amount to pay this month because of the cost of child care etc.  ARC Change for a Dollar helped out with a gift card to Bi Lo and made a partial payment towards her rent

Amount $75 plus $300 – total $375

Change for a Dollar – 5/9/14

Mark, a Summerville homeless man who suffers from a bone disorder has been in and out of a cast for the past 59 weeks.  His fracture has finally healed to the point where the doctors have permanently removed the cast.  He was relieved to get out of the cast but has a long road ahead to gain back some strength in his leg.  He asked if ARC Change for a Dollar could put him up for one night in a hotel so he could spend some time soaking in a nice hot bath and get a good night rest in a bed.  To help him start to feel more normal again on his road to recovery, Change for a Dollar reserved a room for him at the local EconoLodge where he spent the night cleaning up and relaxing.

Amount $ 79.47

Change for a Dollar – 5/4/14

Carol, a single woman who is a patient at the Medical Outreach Clinic of Summerville is battling cancer and is awaiting a disability determination.  During her eligibility update interview it became known that she was struggling financially.  Her ex-husband does not pay any support to her for her teenage son who has been looking for work to help his mom pay the bills.  The son has a job offer at BiLo but needs a replacement birth certificate to get his photo ID but the family does not have the funds to apply for a replacement birth certificate.  The woman also stated her electric bill was in arrears as her brother is no longer able to help her pay her bills.  Change for a dollar provided a money order to the State of Kentucky Vital Statistics office for the birth certificate and made a payment to SCE&G on the electric bill.  She hopes her disability will soon be approved and her son is also looking forward to helping out.

Amount $ 16.00 plus $296.00 total $312.00