During the holiday season, my mind – like yours – turns to my family and friends. I think about what gifts will give them joy. My family and I make plans to spend as much time together as possible, celebrating the joy of a few days set aside where we can focus on nothing but each other.
For many people in our community, the holidays mean something else. When the world seems aglow with glittering lights and pretty bows, this time of year is a constant reminder of the warmth others have and that they lack. The holidays are filled with anxiety as they struggle to make ends meet, knowing that they may not have a special meal on the table or even a stable home in which to live.
At MOM we help about 600 families each month get through some pretty tough times. We focus on basic needs, like Food, Clothing, and Housing Assistance. Although our clients are unique and their struggles are different from one another, they all have one thing in common – they need our help.
Meet John and Jeff, two brothers who live with Jeff’s four year old daughter in an apartment in our area. Both had full time jobs, but each had their hours significantly reduced until they could no longer afford the rent. After falling for a few months, they were issued an eviction notice. John and Jeff heard about MOM and hoped that we could help them with their hopeless situation. MOM helped them apply for a grant through the county that was enough to stave off eviction. John and Jeff were also approved for a Rent Subsidy which will assist them with a small grant over the next six months. One of MOM’s case managers helped with employment search counseling which led to a job offer for Jeff – he started his full time job just last month.
One of them recently wrote: “I really don’t know how to put it into words. Before MOM, it was a constant struggle to pay my bills on time and avoid additional late fees. I am truly grateful for all the help I’ve been blessed with. Even our moods at home are much more at ease and we are definitely happier. In my family we always say when it rains it pours, meaning if it’s bad, it’s only going to get worse, which can be overwhelming and depressing. MOM prevented that from happening and instead had the opposite effect and that feeling is amazing and can’t be put into words. Thank you.”
We also help people like Claire, a 66 year old woman who suffers from terminal cancer. She’s a single parent to her physically & mentally disabled son and struggles to make ends meet with rent that is only $100 below her income. Recently, Claire’s sister passed away, leaving her to care for a 16 year old niece. As a result of everything that is going on in her life, she was unable to keep up w/the rent payments and was issued an eviction notice. She came to MOM hoping she would find relief, though she couldn’t imagine in what form that might come. Since connecting with MOM, Claire was approved for grants which were enough for the landlord to rescind her eviction notice and is working towards additional financial assistance which will enable her and her family to get back on their feet.
Claire wrote us a note that says, “With my sister passing away and my husband leaving our family, I fell on hard times. With the loss of income and no family in town, I did not know where to turn. God sent me to MOM where I met Judy, your case worker. People might not understand my pain and I do not mean to embarrass anyone, but let the truth be told, I am glad to be a part of and know MOM. I pray that this organization is strengthened so they can help many other people who really need help when they have nowhere else to go. I thank MOM and all the people who work so hard to help people in need – I know because I am one of them.”
MOM offers much more than just financial assistance – we provide relief from the fear of not having food for your children or a place for them to call home. We are able to give warmth through energy assistance and housing when the cold winter is right outside the door. And maybe most importantly, we provide that miracle of Hope, that with the help of their community, things will turn out OK and that they will make it through another day.
If we come together to help our neighbors and our community, together we can prevent homelessness right here in Middleton, Cross Plains and West Madison.
When I sit around our warm living room this Christmas, I am going to also remember that in a way, MOM is the family that cares about its members when they need help and say a word of thanks for this great community of people who care about them.
We invite you to be a part of this miracle today. Join us at momhelps.org.
-JF
