Southeast CDC’s Family Stability Program provides case management services and financial assistance to families who have a utility turn off notice or who are at risk of losing their home. Read on for an inspirational story of how our staff support their clients.
When Frank enrolled in the Family Stability Program in November 2016, it had been two years since his wife had passed away and he was raising two children on his own. The family’s only source of income was Frank’s monthly Social Security Income payments, which were not enough to cover the family’s expenses. When Frank met Kate, the Family Stability Program case manager, he had fallen behind on both his rent and his BGE bills. The Family Stability Program used client assistance funds to help Frank catch up on these housing bills so that the family would not be evicted or have their electricity turned off. They then focused on increasing the family’s income. Frank had been hesitant to get a job because his wife had accrued a large debt to the IRS before she passed away, and Frank was worried that most of his pay would be garnished. Kate referred Frank to a non-profit legal agency that helped him to resolve this issue with the IRS, and Frank then got a part-time job.
Kate and Frank met regularly for almost a year. Every month they would create a budget, and strategize ways to lower the family’s spending so that they would be able to live within their means. Frank took several steps to either reduce or cut out entirely some of the family’s expenses. One of the biggest changes Frank made was to get rid of their cable plan and pay for Netflix instead, saving the family more than $200/month. Frank is now paying his bills on time, and has enough money to make payments to reduce his credit card debts as well as save for emergencies. When he graduated from the Family Stability Program in October 2017, his credit score had improved and he had more than $500 saved in the bank. Frank now feels more in control on his family’s finances and feels more hopeful about his future.
*All names have been changed.
Featured artwork by Maria Cavacos.