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PLEASE HELP ME AMERICA. I HAVE NEVER ASKED FOR HELP FOR ANYTHING, BUT AFTER ALL THAT HAS HAPPENED I REALLY NEED THE HELP NOW! IT ALL STARTED WHEN MY SON WAS MURDERED, THEN 5 YEARS LATER THE LOVE OF MY LIFE HUNG HIMSELF. AFTER 28 YEARS OF LOYAL SERVICE TO A COMPANY I WAS LAID OFF. NOW I AM LOOSING MY HOUSE AND HAVE NO PLACE TO GO AND NO MONEY. I HAVE LOOKED FOR A JOB BUT ALL I GET IS I AM OVER QUALIFIED. I AM WILLING TO DO ANYTHING TO SAVE MY HOME. I HAVE NO MONEY, I CAN'T EVEN AFFORD TO PAY MY LIGHT BILL WHICH WILL BE SHUT OFF SOON. PLEASE HELP ME! I AM BEGGING AMERICA.

I'm a single mother aged 35. I've lived in California for almost 14 years ( it will be 15 this year on memorial day weekend.)
I’m going to be a little blunt, because I'm tired and I want to give up so bad, but I can't. I'm better than that and my kids are my motivator. I wake up everyday and remind myself of 2 things :1) Faith is what you have when you all your beliefs are blown to hell. 2) What doesn't kill you makes you stronger -Nietzsche

I am a 35 year old educated, ambitious, head strong woman. I have owned my own business with my soon to be ex. I know what hard work and determination are. I went to private school and I am educated. I value my community and have always given back and will continue to do so. I also know that I have the drive and determination to get myself back on track. I'm not ASKING for a handout, I'm asking for help up! I also know what loss is. I don't have the business, a house or EVEN the car anymore. We lost everything. He bounced back , I didn’t. All I have is HOPE, that someone or some program can help me carve a path back to self sufficiency.
It's gone continually downhill.I am amazed at the allotment of programs for both housing and employment for all different walks of life. However, what about those that are just struggling. No hang ups, no record, just struggling and are LOW INCOME. I'm not writing this to make you feel sorry, I'm writing this because I have exhausted possibilities that I have researched both on my own or been given the information to do the work with.
There are people who struggle everyday through no fault of their own. They don't want a hand out, but help up would be a relief. Society doesn't need band-aids they need solutions.
Not every county, city or state program fits everyone's needs.
First of all Section 8 has been closed since BEFORE I left my marriage so that idea could never work. The list has been closed for years. Because I have limited time with my children, I do not qualify for CALWORKS. I have tried getting assistance in every way possible. I had very little unemployment left since I have been struggling to find work. I was delayed for about 3 months because they needed verification and I had to appeal and request a hearing. I have won my appeal but will only receive $91/week and for a short period of time.
I took a project management class through WIA in 2011, and I was able to get CTB benefits. I NEED HELP. I have hit the absolute worst point in my life and still refuse to give up. I have been looking for work and am now HOMELESS.I am in week 3 of staying in an extended stay hotel (paid for by my mother back east, who makes maybe $26,000/yr in PA) I recently sold my car because I needed to pay bills and rent. I have maybe $75 to my name.
The fact that they say there are services for low income/ homeless is frustrating. I say this because there is no category for me. I'm not a drug addict or in recovery. I don't have a mental illness. I wasn't in prison, I don’t' even have a RECORD. I can proudly say I've never been arrested or even in the back of a cop car. I'm not a victim of domestic violence and I do not beat my kids. Why aren't there programs in place for single parents struggling to make it? Everyday people that are responsible and respectable. I understand the need to assist those that may not have the capacity to take care of themselves. However, I have a huge problem with the fact that Santa Clara County & all programs (private, govt or state funded) will rehabilitate and reintroduced felons into the community, but if you're poor, homeless, no record, are looking for work, have high intelligence; sorry, you can't get help. This sounds extremely cynical and jaded, but I am a little after going through all I have.
I have been told constantly “I wish I could do something but we don't have any programs to help you.” My favorite reply is: "Yeah and you have done everything. I'm surprised you even knew about all the programs you did"
I have talked to employment counselors, program coordinators, program advocates and case managers, volunteers, just about anyone. The bankruptcy is hindering my chances of securing housing, even if I had employment.

The icing on the cake has to be with food stamps and General Assistance. I qualified for Cal-Fresh. However, at the time I had a car worth $2200. So I wasn't able to get General Assistance. Fast Forward a year later, I HAD to sell my car to pay bills. Now this month when I went for General Assistance, I qualify.

It's a never ending cycle, a constant push down. I can take public transportation to work, but to get around and see my boys and being able to transport them would be extremely difficult, not to mention financially stressing. I have scoured employment books, read articles, searched the library, spent hours online trying to find a job, program, a company, anybody who could be a resource whether for low income assistance or employment.
I can probably tell you about a plethora of services this county (Santa Clara) offers for both income assistance and job services.I am registered with CALJOBS; I know all the career sites and have my resume there. I get interviews, however I am starting to think the bankruptcy from loss of business is holding me back when employers do background check.
I also could teach the business writing class or the resume writing classes they offer at Work2Future, I practically did when I took them. I could do the same at Sacred Heart. I've been to InnVision and EHC. I’ve talked to Sunnyvale Community Services. Boy he was a treat he sounded older then my 80 yr old grandma. When I said I need housing and employment help, he gruffly told me to check the newspaper and hung up. I've called St Josephs in Gilroy. I've talked to a program coordinator at West Valley Community Services. I called the Sobrato Organization hoping they had ties to something and one the employees just by grace of god happened to pick up and take my call. I was able to talk to someone at HIF (they couldn't help)
.
I am responsible, respectable and just want to work, have a place to live, and be able to have my children 50/50. I have no police record. I am not in recovery, nor have I ever had to be in a program
I want to work and am attaching a compilation of ALL my work skills. I would not send this out otherwise, I would tailor it specifically to the job I am applying for.

I used to volunteer as much as I could I like being active in my community and helping others. I'm still about that I believe in PAY IT FORWARD. I believe the good you do comes back to you tenfold and that no matter what is going wrong in your life, someone else is struggling just as much if not more; so be thankful for what you have.
I attend church and was a hospitality volunteer for that as well.
I just need help getting on my feet. I have no family, other than my children here in CA.
I do not want to move back east and be far away from them. I want to work, I want to live again. I want to smile and mean it.

I hate what my life has become and know that I am SO MUCH BETTER THEN THIS.
Please help me : money is fine, but it's only a temporary fix, please help me find a program that can assist me in getting on my feet, direct me to employment, and most of all afford me the opportunity to have my children much more consistently so I can be a mom again.
Thank you
Courtney DiMiceli

My mommy needs your help, daddy went to the sky and we see him in pictures and on a short video sometimes.My momgets disability for my brothers but that is the only money we get. We need a better home the one we are at when she plugs somethings in it sparks.Mom said it needs a fence because we are 5,4,and 2 yrs old. Our grandma and grandpa stay here to,but theres not enough money,1200.00 and the rent is 750. My name is amy and my Husband hung himself almost 2 years ago.We live in a unsafe home but can not seem to get off the ground.I love our 3 blue eyed, blondes and want to give them a safe and nice home, if we can get any help we would really be greatful. for proof you can call,6083432865. my best friend and the one that has helped us the most, even took us in at the most crucial time is putting this on the net for us. So if you choose to call and ask anything lease do not hesitate,also be aware at times these 3 wound 4 sound babes try to answer my cell so please use discretion if they do. I am going to try to update and figure out how to ost pic. of us all to help make our face a reality to you all. thanks so much for listening the williams family,my best friend put this up fr my family, thanks michelle and the williams

I'm out of work due to medical issues and being denied for short term disability (2 times now). It can take another 45 days to hear back on my most recent appeal. I'm selling my daughters outgrown clothing.

All clothes are between 2t-5/5t and are Gap or Gymboree brand. Most all are outfits, some with numerous pieces per lines. All are washing in cold, on delicate, and HUNG to dry! I take very good care of my daughters clothing since it was a hobby of mine to sell/trade her gymbo and gap. Now it's for survival!

I have mostly spring/summer lines, but still some winter as well. Alot of the spring/summer lines have matching sandals as well. Prices go based on outfit.

There is no easy way to tell this story. I know that this letter is long and I wish it were a simple matter, but it is not. 3 days after my husband and I lost our home to foreclosure, I lost my husband of almost 16 years to suicide.

Joe and I bought our home in 1999. We had rented it for 3 years since we had gotten married on June 1, 1996. We were a happy couple and in love and we created many memories there, happy Christmases, a lot of laughter and a growing togetherness that at the end, rendered Joe and I not just husband and wife, but best of friends. Joe was my best friend.

We both worked, but the layoffs began in 2007. For years, we struggled and worked hard to make ends meet. In 2009, we were working with our mortgage company on a loan modification program. Still, bankruptcy had to be filed in late 2009. But, in October, 2010, Joe was laid off again. For the next six months following the last lay off, we worked with the mortgage company in trying to find a buyer for our home to possibly rent it back to us. Ultimately, the mortgage company auctioned our home for $98,000. All of our equity was gone and we had no home. Both of us were out of work and Joe was receiving unemployment benefits.

During that time, I watched Joe change. He had always been an optimistic person. One of his favorite things to say was, 'it doesn't have to be this way'. He was the life of the party, he made everyone laugh, and he was a good person. Joe was a genuinely sincere, loving, sweet, hardworking man who cared about others.

Even strangers. Once, driving home from work, he heard a girl screaming from a deserted parking lot behind Safeway. He pulled over and got out of the car, as two men ran by him. He said he wanted to chase them, but did not because he felt he needed to check on the girl. She had been beaten. He stayed with her and comforted her until the police arrived. They thanked him for stopping. He said he told them, 'Of course. Anyone would'. They assured him that was not true. But, that was the way that Joe thought.

I watched Joe struggle more than I had ever seen someone do to take care of our home and of me. Sometimes he would still laugh, but those times began coming fewer and farther between. Sometimes, he would cry. He would sob in my arms. It tears my heart out now to think of it. I will never in this lifetime get over this or recover completely. Joe had been in my life for a total of 18 years, 16 married, almost (this last June 1, 2011 would have been our 16th wedding anniversary), he was a good man, and he was my friend. He was my life.

Joe and I lost our home. We packed our home of nearly 16 years into a storage building. (I have since lost that building and all of our belongings).

3 days after losing our home, Joe committed suicide. He jumped off of a bridge. Despite a hospital stay and efforts to save him, he ultimately died.

The buyers of our home have turned it over or flipped it already in this short time. I sometimes go by it and look at it. I see Joe tinkering in the garage or I look through the front window and picture us having dinner together. I see where our Christmas tree stood. I look at the front door and remember when we first walked through it, when we were engaged and looking for our first (and only) home. The very first thing that went into our home, before furniture or belongings, was a small statue with Jesus and a little plaque that read 'Bless Our Home'. Joe hung that in the hallway. I still cannot comprehend that this happened. Joe was always a positive, happy person. Our wedding song was 'You're The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Me.' by Gladys Knight. I can't listen to it now. I know you don't know Joe and he's a stranger to you, but he was my life.

I lost my husband and my home in a period of 3 days. Joe's unemployment checks have ceased and there is no income. I have applied for dozens upon dozens of jobs, everything from picking up trash at a park to a waitress to an errand runner. I have not been hired. I have few skills and he was always the major earner. He had years of experience in various outside sales. I am not a college graduate with few skills and what I have to offer is very limited. I cannot afford to go back to school. Social Security will not help because I am not old enough. Joe and I couldn't have children so often, public assistance cannot help. New creditors are coming after me, such as the homeowners association for the house we lost, his time in the hospital in their efforts to save him (due to circumstances, there was no medical insurance, however by law they were required to treat him), the ambulance and rescue team that pulled him from the water and the list and cost is too measurable to detail here. I do not know where else to turn. I am alone. So, I am turning to you.

Joe used to say, 'sometimes bad things happen to good people.' When he said that, I never imagined this. Can you please help? I am lost.

Thank you.

All My Best,

Christina

I was in Iraq as a MedEvac Paramedic based in Balad, Iraq, just north of Baghdad. Due to toxic smoke from the base, I have been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. I have lost everything as a result. My career is over, lost my house and car. I have medical expenses over $300 a month, and have no income, as my Disability has been hung up in red tape for 2 years now. I have nothing left to do. If you can't help, please pray for my family. Thanks and God Bless.