It takes a Village! Our Lady in Transition is true commitment on top of all the work we do! This is long and the reality of things behind what I do. I am not rich in anything other than heart and spirit! You really want to make a difference help us! I have to admit its really been hard trying to navigate the social service system for “Our Lady in Transition”. She is receiving no financial assistance other than the SNAP (Food assistance) and the money personally or though limited MBV donations. Since she is over 50; without dependents she is not entitled to “temporary financial assistance” at all unless declared mentally in need and that would fall into SSI. We all know how long services take. You may have been in need yourself or had a family member struggle. There is so much red tape to get things for people through social services and as My Brother Vinny continues to be a resource to our Homeless US Veterans I see it daily. Our Lady in Transition was an extra addition to the work I/we do and not in my normal realm of services. She needs support; even if she qualifies for SSI (after proving mental health issues) it will be at a snail’s pace to prove. Plus, I am not even sure she would get that if she does not have enough work credits. She has been street homeless since 2006; and the layers of distrust for the system and the years on the streets have led to many behaviors that take time to change. Trying to get mental health support has been very hard. Honestly, being told to wait weeks for an appointment would make anyone’s mental health issues worse. I am finding it hard to get her support and I have a readily available phone and the ability to decipher clearly. Factor in depression, mental health issues and poverty and you see why more and more choose life on the streets. I feel so sad for so many out there depressed and in need; to live in crisis and to get to the point when you are reaching out for help and to hit brick walls. I have been given so many contacts that are dead ends; been told come into our office in a few weeks for intake after Medicaid is established. Our human services is so clearly flawed by how our needy are cared for and supported. I was contacted about our homeless lady in Yorktown on August 10th, I met her August 11th, placed her into an apartment August 30th. Absolutely nothing would have changed if I did not help her. She would have been sleeping in Turco’s parking lot, bank vestibules, and garbage cans by 7-11, in back of trucks when allowed or the woods. She was reliant on goodwill and donations for food and the pantry. I thought due to her homelessness she would be entitled to some sort of financial support on top of the food assistance and Medicaid to help keep her off the streets. Since I have taken her off the streets she is no longer considered homeless by homeless support groups and the support I thought she could possibly get is not available. I feel like she was passed around like a human “Hot Potato” and everyone was relieved that they are no longer dealing with this. Crisis has been averted, she is no longer homeless and now she is my responsibility. I have heard from so many Yorktowners that knew of her homelessness witnessing her walking on the streets for years, I never knew of her until August, 2014. For some reason, I was the one that was meant to get the call to help her and I cannot stress over and over again that I need help. Where we are as of today – Our needs are serious and the financial support I need is detrimental to our work. We have her rent rolling around November 1st - $ 600; and that is part of the picture of the work we do. Storage is $ 1150; plus all the other MBV expenses. On a happy note our MBV Bills are covered up until the 1st of November. I have to admit I am praying for a huge event 11/15; and tons of support to get us through the next few months. Medicaid establishment is taking time and hopefully settled in next week or two. She would be pending Medicaid approval, but still able to hopefully get services. In closing, we have moved and supported 142 US Veterans since June, 2013! I cannot get any clearer on the real impact we have with My Brother Vinny. I maintain 7 storage units, gas, fuel, insurance, programs, etc. I have no budget and the grant money people think is readily available is a year away and another long process. This takes a Village and I am calling all of the villagers out to realize life is not easy for everyone. Factor in being homeless with no family and you are living day to day in crisis! Real ways you can help MBV: Share My Brother Vinny Page and statuses for help! Donate to my charity! Buy a Raffle Ticket! Help buy a Holiday Wish List Item! Volunteer time to pick up furniture and help us move Veterans Build a walk team for May 17, 2015 when registration opens January, 2015 - When I ask people to come out and walk in May 17, 2015; for my charity, please make tremendous teams and remember you are walking for a 100% Volunteer Organization doing things that it takes a village of agencies to do! Donate a Raffle Item for November 15th – Let’s Give Thanks and Buy some raffles! Amazon Wish List! amazon/gp/aw/ls/ref=aw_wl_lol_wl?ie=UTF8&lid=1UUGVYU3S8IBY Park Lane Fundraiser we get 50% through 12/7 https://parklanejewelry/store/category/bracelet#sthash.Tjj7mrHG Go Fund Me gofundme/fodglg
Posted on: Mon, 27 Oct 2014 20:27:54 +0000
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