Recently, a client visited Arab America Family Services with her four children. She appeared to be very stressed.
She came in looking for assistance while trying to juggle her family’s personal documents and keeping her eyes on her active children. She not only had her hands full, she looked ready to fall apart and urgently needed help from AAFS.
The clients was referred to AAFS by her close friend, who had recently become aware of her family’s financial struggle. She explained to her the great difficulty her family has of affording necessary things for the family’s well being.
The friend felt her pain because she, too, was in a similar situation in the past. She told her that visiting AAFS helped alleviate some of the struggles by the help they provide for people in need.
The client explained to her caseworker that she is a full-time mother of four and is unable to work. Their only source of income is through her husband’s employment, which is barely enough to call a livable wage.
She informed us that at times, her family will go for days without a complete meal. And to make matters worst, if the children become sick, there is no money left to take care of the children. So the children are left being sick and hungry and stuck at home with no medical attention.
She stated that ever since her husband lost one of his jobs, he is now working longer hours and has been upset, overwhelmed and stressed.
This has caused him at times to be distant from his wife and the children. There is now tension in the home and she also admit to being mentally and physically abused.
Unfortunately, the client has no family members nearby since she has moved away from family after she was married. She has no support system other than one close friend.
Her in-laws husband’s family are unaware of their current situation because her husband would not allow her to inform them of their crisis.
The AAFS caseworker recommended that the client meet with a domestic violence counselor, rather than a general family and children-based counselor.
At AAFS, our caseworkers go the extra step to ensure that clients receive all the assistance available to them, as well as the counseling they need to better their current situation. They show her client empathy and compassion.
The caseworker has taken time to make sure the client was getting all the public benefits she is entitled to and qualified for.
All Kids and Link applications have been completed and submitted. In efforts to assist the client, the case worker assisted with getting her additional public benefits and gave the proper referrals to seek addition services for mental health needs.
And now, the client and her family are doing so much better with the help of the AAFS caseworkers.
Their overall well-being has improved tremendously. The family has recently received All Kids insurance and Link to help alleviate stress of living necessities.
And fortunately, the client has begun attending an 8-week counseling session, which she goes to once a week for one hour. She also has a safety plan in effect.
She also stated once she is mentally and physically stable, she will enroll herself in school. She wants to help provide income and a better future for her family.
Her and her husband’s relationship has gradually improved. Her husband is currently seeking additional employment.
These success stories are what keep us going day in and day out at AAFS.
If you or someone you know can benefit from the services offered by AAFS, please give us a call at (708) 599-2237.
(708) 599-2237
