It is always difficult when a family who presumably has it all, falls on tough times. A once secure home, with a happily married couple and rambunctious children running around, can take a turn for the worst when tough economic times take their course. This was the case for a 25-year-old married woman who was married with four children, one on the way.
Her and her husband never thought things can go bad. Until his hours at work were cut severely, and she was unable to go back to the workforce because she was still tending to her young children.
The hours cut at work soon lead to a termination from his job. Hardly able to make ends meet, the young children were hardly eating a full mean throughout the day. Growing tensions between husband and wife were getting in the way of this once happy, loving couple.
That is when she confined to a close friend of all her struggles. Her friend recommended Arab American Family Services. She made an appointment and was able to meet with a caseworker. There, she explained to the caseworker that the family was not able to make ends meet, they were struggling to put food on the table and worst of all, if the children had gotten sick, they were unable to seek medical attention because because the cost was too much to handle.
At AAFS, our dedicated staff was able to listen to the needs of the client. Analyze which paths may be best for her to take and most importantly, help her apply for benefits that would help her and her family.
At AAFS, the client was referred to a free clinic to get an exam for her pregnancy, which she was unable to previously get done. Her children had qualified for All Kids Medical Card to ensure that they can get the necessary medical attention when needed. The family was also able to apply for food stamp benefits and get the Link Card.
When talking with a caseworker, the client had mentioned the strain that the family situation had caused to the marriage. From there, AAFS referred the client to our Domestic Violence Department, which was able to take the time and effort to talk to the client and help counsel her.
For this client, the opportunities opened up for her the moment she walked into the door’s of AAFS. Currently, her and her family are on the path to greener pastures. They are receiving the federal benefits that are helping the family stay afloat. The family was able to undergo an 8-week counseling session to help work out their problems. The client is looking forward to enrolling in classes to help earn her degree to better serve her family.
This is one of the many success stories that come out of AAFS. Your story can be too. Please call to make an appointment to talk with one of our caseworkers. Whether you are struggling to make ends meet for your family, whether you are in an emotionally abusive relationship, or if you feel helpless, please call us at (708) 599-2237.
(708) 599-2237
