SUCCESS STORIES

Success is most often a Process, not an Event

What a difference a year makes

She was a homeless 18 year old high school senior.  Twelves month later she was beginning her second semester at UW-River Falls.

How Shelly went from being homeless in January to being a college student the following January is a testimony to her hard work and her maturity as well as to the fact that she honored the faith and respected the opportunities provided to her by North Central CAP.  We provided Shelly with a variety of services that would ensure;

·       Residential stability

·       Completion of her high school education

·       Access to basic needs such as food, clothing, health care, and transportation

·       An opportunity to pursue a college education

Critical to the success in the process of securing the above was case management. Our outreach worker became an advocate as well as advisor for Shelly. Shelly was provided over 600 hours of subsidized employment (funded under a HUD Supportive Housing Program). This opportunity provided Shelly with the chance to earn a small income, gain valuable work experience, learn soft skills as well as budgeting skills, and most importantly be an integral part of her own success.

$’s Well Spent

Most low-income families cannot afford on “off-budget” unforeseen or unplanned expenditure. They live from paycheck to paycheck or month to month praying that they make ends meet and stay afloat.

Such was the case with the ‘A’ family.  Two parents and six children, ages 2 through 10.  While traveling up north to visit Mrs. A’s hospitalized mother, they were involved in a traffic accident.  Fortunately, no real serious injuries resulted, but the vehicle was badly damaged. 

Repairs would be expensive and, on a limited income, would cost them dearly.  At the time, their monthly income was $1539.  Work hours for the husband had been reduced leaving this household with extremely limited resources.

Monthly rent payments were $625 and represented about 41% of their monthly income.   To pay the needed car repairs, the had to use their rent money.  Ten days or so after failing to pay their rent and with really no hope of getting caught up, they received an eviction notice.  Frantic, Mrs. A came to North Central CAP to see if she could qualify for assistance in paying the delinquent rent. She qualified for assistance and the family was not evicted and needed no other services.

For most recipients of emergency housing assistance, the ‘A’ family’s story is typical.  They seldom seek or get help but when they do it is because they have no alternative.  Making sure that a family of eight does not end up homeless helps not only the family, but the community.

An Extraordinary Case…it could happen to anyone
 

The JL household is no different than most.  A mom, a dad, and three kids.  They have worked and paid their bills faithfully for many years—never needing or seeking anyone’s help.  Like most of us, everything is fine until something unexpectedly goes wrong.

Late in 2015 Mr. L was hospitalized with cancer. A diabetic, he was already receiving kidney dialysis treatment. One of his legs was amputated and death was a near certainty.  With his lost income, Mrs. L had difficulty keeping current on their rent and gradually fell behind by two months.  Complicating matters, Mr. L now needed more prescription drugs, special foods, and diabetic supplies.

With the landlord threatening eviction, Mrs. L came to NCCAP’s office seeking emergency housing assistance. In reviewing past and projected income levels, there was little doubt that this household would find it possible to catch up on two months of back rent without help. North Central CAP made a decision to commit resources to assist this family and put an end to the possibility of eviction.  NCCAP utilized local funding to provide this assistance. 

In addition, North Central CAP facilitated a heating assistance program application and provided referrals to other partner programs such as Food Share.  Mrs. L has since taken a second job and is able to make ends meet.