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Stories of Desert Communities United Way serving the communities of the Victor Valley
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Jamie and baby. Jamie is 18 years old, single, pregnant and desperate for help. Her health was in extreme risk and she was worried about losing her baby. She needed our help getting to her weekly doctor appointments. Through our Desert Communities United Way emergency services program for pregnant women and mothers of young children she received the transportation she needed. She delivered a healthy baby and in addition was helped with parenting classes, essential baby supplies, and case management to plan for their future. Jamie and baby are well and happy.
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In five weeks. Frank’s job is hanging dry wall and Joan is a stay-at-home mom, caring for their children, and doing part time house cleaning evenings. Frank developed a respiratory infection that turned into pneumonia which left him bed-ridden. Not being able to work and with the expensive medication costs the family was unable to pay their rent and were served with an eviction notice. They came to our program frightened and shocked that they could lose everything. After verifying income status, bills, and rent due, a rental payment was made and their utility bills were paid. Five weeks later Frank was able to go back to work and they were able to resume paying their own bills. If this family with 3 children had not been helped by a Desert Communities United Way program they would have being living in their car.
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Regained self confidence. Sarah, a mom in her mid 30’s, was being abused by her drug addicted husband. After finding out her husband had also been molesting her youngest child, Sarah and her children fled to our Desert Communities United Way Domestic Violence/sexual assault program. Sarah was afraid her husband would hurt or kill her and her children. A year has passed and Sarah has completed the domestic violence program. She is now divorced and has full custody of her children. Sarah has regained her self confidence, she even went to court and testified against her now ex-husband. Sarah has enrolled in school to become a nurse, and you see Sarah smiling a lot these days, way to go Sarah!
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Back on their feet. William, his wife and two sons became homeless after losing their home due to down-sizing at William’s work. William’s wife is disabled. The family needed help; they received the help through our Desert Communities United Way emergency food and shelter programs. William received services ranging from personal counseling, career counseling (how to write a resume and what to wear for an interview, to be on time, and to give100%), as well as learning computer skills. Now William is back to work and his family is doing well. With the economy as it is we are having more and more families like Williams and our homeless shelter is full every day. This is a situation we could all be in if our health failed or our employer downsized!
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