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SCARED AND STRUGGLING SINGLE MOM

Last post 07-27-2008 10:16 PM by SingleMom.Com Team. 2 replies.
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  • 07-25-2008 9:02 AM

    • Jenna
    • Top 50 Contributor
    • Joined on 07-25-2008
    • Posts 2

    SCARED AND STRUGGLING SINGLE MOM

    Hey there. Name is Jenna.  Single mom obviously and new to this.  It is quite humbling to have to reach out for assistance when one is unemployed, alone, and broke.  I am mom of 3- 17, 14 and 14 months.  I am fighting to keep food in my kids' mouths.  It is sad and I am fearful that we could end up homeless. I have sought out local resources and am still under deep water.  I have gone as far as writing to Oprah, Ellen, Dr. Phil ..etc...  Just scared and eating Ramen noodles...any advice or comfort?

    thanks and God bless

  • 07-25-2008 5:41 PM In reply to

    Re: SCARED AND STRUGGLING SINGLE MOM

    Dear Jenna,

    You are not alone.  When I read your message I could immediately relate.  Last month I was one inch away from having a complete nervous breakdown.  After being out of work and looking for a job for five months straight...and I mean REALLY looking.  (I have applied to hundreds and hundreds of jobs.  It seems sometimes that the applications get sucked out into the abyss somewhere.)  I had three interviews and no offers.  After month four, I went to the government for assistance.  The only thing that we could qualify for was food stamps.  Then, all of sudden my ex's child support just stopped.  I was like, what the.....!  He wouldn't answer my calls and avoided me big time.  Then, I came to find out that he had gotten suspended from his job for 30 days and didn't even bother telling me.  The landlord filed for eviction, and the court gave us 7 days to get out.  On top of that, my family lives 1000 miles away.  It was awful.  I never felt so helpless, overwhelmed and alone in my life.  I was so upset that I literally could not eat for days.  (Thank God for the food stamps though, because at least my daughter did.)   My chest and stomach felt queezy all day long and boy, was I depressed on top of that.  I started getting very negative.  I didn't want to get out of bed in the morning.  It seemed like every day was just going to be another long nothing.  When I would talk to somebody about it, they would be very sympathetic but I felt like they just didn't know what I was going through.  When you put the single motherhood on top of being broke, unemployed and having no significant other....it's a load isn't it girl?  For me, I felt like I was a failure.  I stayed in the apartment all day applying to jobs, watching tv, and feeling miserable.  I would fix my daughter's food and try to smile at her.  I was really at the end of my rope. 

    Praise be to God,  help started coming.  Although I could barely see the blessings coming through all my tears, they came anyway.  All I can say is that sometimes life can break us down to the point to where we have to say, even if it's just for today, thank you God that there is something to eat and a roof over my head.  I haven't found a job yet, but I know that I will one day.  The only thing that I can say to you today Jenna is this, God knows.  He didn't leave me and He sure won't ever leave you.  You are going to make it through this.   

    Kita

  • 07-27-2008 10:16 PM In reply to

    Re: SCARED AND STRUGGLING SINGLE MOM

     Jenna,we posted these resources before, but here they are again. They are for housing, food, help with utilities, free doctor visits, free prescription drugs. We hope that you will find programs to help you. Hang in there. Good luck!

    Valuable Help for Mothers and Children in Need (WIC)
    http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/
    WIC provides Federal grants to States for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.

    Food Stamp Program
    http://www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/rules/Memo/Support/state-applications.htm
    The Food Stamp Program helps low-income people and families buy
    the food they need for good health.  You apply for benefits by completing a State application form.  Benefits are provided on an electronic card that is used like an ATM card and accepted at most grocery stores.

    Government Benefits
    http://www.govbenefits.gov/govbenefits_en.portal
    GovBenefits.gov is the official benefits website of the U.S. government, with information on over 1,000 benefit and assistance programs.
    Search government programs for Child care/Child Support, Counseling, Disability Assistance, Education/Training, Energy Assistance, Food/Nutrition, Insurance, Living Assistance, Loan/Loan Repayment, Medicaid/Medicare, Social Security, Tax Assistance, Veterans-Active Duty, Volunteer Opportunities.

    Angel Food Ministries
    http://www.angelfoodministries.com
    Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing food relief and contributing to benevolent outreaches in communities throughout the United States.
    By buying food from first rate suppliers at substantial volume discounts, Angel Food Ministries is able to provide families with approximately $65 worth of quality nutritious food for $30. Angel Food Ministries does not use out-of-date food or inferior products.

    Social Security Information for Women
    http://www.ssa.gov/women

    Supplemental Security Income SSI
    http://www.ssa.gov/ssi
    SSI is a Federal income supplement program funded by general tax revenues (not Social Security taxes); it is designed to help aged, blind, and disabled people, who have little or no income; and it provides cash to meet basic needs for food, clothing, and shelter.
    Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool
    http://connections.govbenefits.gov/ssa_en.portal

    U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Administration for Children & Families (ACF)
    http://www.acf.hhs.gov/acf_services.html
    The Administration for Children and Families (ACF), within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is responsible for federal programs that promote the economic and social well-being of families, children, individuals, and communities.

    HHS Child Care
    http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ccb/ccdf/index.htm
    The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) has made available $5 billion to States, Territories, and Tribes in fiscal year 2008. This program, authorized by the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act, and Section 418 of the Social Security Act, assists low-income families, families receiving temporary public assistance, and those transitioning from public assistance in obtaining child care so they can work or attend training/education.

    HHS Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
    http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap/
    The mission of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is to assist low income households, particularly those with the lowest incomes that pay a high proportion of household income for home energy, primarily in meeting their immediate home energy needs. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

    HUD – Housing Choice Vouchers Fact Sheet
    http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/programs/hcv/about/fact_sheet.cfm
    The housing choice voucher program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market.

    Special Needs Housing, Combating Homelessness 
    http://www.ncsha.org/section.cfm/53/523/2286
    Programs that best provide affordable housing and services for individuals and families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

    Bridge of Hope
    http://www.bridgeofhopeinc.org
    Ending and preventing homelessness in every community, one church and one family at a time.
    Bridge of Hope brings together professional staff and trained church-based mentoring groups to empower homeless and at-risk single mothers to attain:
    Permanent housing, Financial self-sufficiency, Life-changing friendships, Growth and wholeness.
    Bridge of Hope National
    311 National Road
    Exton, PA 19341
    Phone: 1-610-280-0280       
    Toll-free: 1-866-670-HOPE
    Fax: 1-610-280-3280

    Florence Crittenton Services, Charlotte, NC
    http://www.fcsnc.org
    Florence Crittenton Services of Charlotte, NC is one of the largest comprehensive residential problem pregnancy programs in the United States. In addition to a safe environment during pregnancy, a full range of services are provided including health and prenatal care, education, adoption programs, parenting skills/early childhood development education, life skills, scholarships, group and individual counseling and family planning.
    The Sarah’s House Mother/Child program empowers new mothers by focusing on early childhood development, attachment issues and prevention of neglect and abuse.
    1300 Blythe Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
    PO Box 36392, Charlotte, NC 28236
    1-800-448-0024/704-372-4663 (Charlotte)
    Fax: 1-704-334-8169

    Our Families Our Future – Cheyenne, WY
    http://www.ourfamiliesourfuture.org
    Our Families Our Future is a Wyoming non-profit organization that helps low-income single mothers on their path to economic self-sufficiency.
    Our Families Our Future
    1001 W. 31st Street, Cheyenne, Wyoming 82001
    Phone: 1-307-778-0094, Fax: 1-307-778-0095

    Vision House
    http://www.vision-house.org
    Provides safe and confidential transitional housing with integrated support services to homeless single mothers and their children.
    Vision House
    P.O. Box 2951
    Renton, Washington 98056
    Phone: 1-425-228-6356
    Fax:  1-425-430-9590
     
    Community Action Partnership, Sonoma County, CA
    http://www.capsonoma.org/programs.htm
    Giffen House - Affordable housing for single mothers with children and single women who are working toward overcoming their homelessness, getting off of public assistance and working toward long term stability. All residents are enrolled in an individualized program designed to help them  http://www.capsonoma.org/forms/oriontatweb.pdf 

    Free or Low Cost Clinic Finder
    https://www.pparx.org/Resources.php
    Search by zip code for clinics in your area.

    Federally funded health centers
    U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
    Health Resources and Services Administration HRSA
    Federally-funded health centers care for you, even if you have no health insurance. You pay what you can afford, based on your income. Health centers provide
    - complete care when you're pregnant
    - immunizations and checkups for your children
    - checkups when you're well
    - treatment when you're sick
    - dental care and prescription drugs for your family
    - mental health and substance abuse care if you need it
    Health centers are in most cities and many rural areas. Type in your address and click the 'Find Health Centers' button to find health centers near you.

     Partnership for Prescription Assistance brings together America's pharmaceutical companies, doctors, other health care providers, patient advocacy organizations and community groups to help qualifying patients who lack prescription coverage get the medicines they need through the public or private program that's right for them. Many will get them free or nearly free.
    Programs:
    - Help for Those in Need: Many people have difficulty affording health care, including prescription medicines. A number of patient assistance programs provide help to patients who lack prescription drug coverage and earn less than 200% of the federal poverty level (approximately $19,000 for an individual or $32,000 for a family of three).(Qualifications vary by programs. Income levels vary by state.)
    - Access to the Medicines They Need
    Patients will be directed to the public or private programs most likely to meet their needs. The Partnership for Prescription Assistance helps qualifying patients without prescription coverage:
    Enroll in more than 475 patient assistance programs, Access more than 2,500 medicines, Learn how to contact government programs for which they may qualify, such as Medicaid, Medicare, or the State Children's Health Insurance Program.
    - Help with Insurance Premiums and Co-pays
      Co-Pay programs provide financial assistance for _pharmaceutical products_ and _health insurance_ premiums to Americans who financially and medically qualify. Click here to find out more.
     

     

     

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