NORWALK — As the end of the year approaches, more donors have been coming forward to help neighbors through The Giving Fund.
Last week, the most donors participated so far this holiday season, although the need is still great and many cases have not been fulfilled.
The Norwalk Hour partners each year with the Family and Children’s Agency for The Giving Fund, which includes a series of cases involving community members who have a specific need during the holiday season.
Contributing a tax-deductible gift to The Giving Fund is a great way to celebrate and share in the holidays while making a positive impact on people right here in our community.
This week’s stories include a baby with severe medical needs, a family suffering a loss due to a drunken driver and a senior citizen losing her eyesight.
In the stories below, names have been changed to protect their privacy; individuals who benefit from the Giving Fund often don’t know they have been included in the series. Each story has a case number and an estimated dollar amount that would help the clients face everyday challenges, including rent payments, transportation or medical expenses.
Online donations go directly to the clients in need and can be designated to a specific case or to the general Client Support Fund at FCA. Donations that exceed a person’s need will go to the Client Support Fund to help others. FCA has also provided a QR code, which can be found below.
Here are this week’s cases:
Case 150: Paola, 62, is quickly losing her eyesight. Last year, her husband died of COVID-19, and she was forced to quit her job because of her blindness. Paola can’t file for assistance without paperwork, which costs hundreds of dollars to obtain. After working her entire life, Paola deserves to age with dignity and stability. A gift of $400 would help her obtain paperwork so that she can file for disability and Social Security.
Case 151: Naomi has overcome much in her life, including surviving domestic violence with her four children and homelessness after escaping that relationship. She is now in a new apartment with her children and is in treatment for severe PTSD. She has been without work for several months and is looking for employment. A gift of $450 would help her get furniture for her children in their new home.
Case 152: Abby is a teenager who has been in foster care for the past two years. She has been working but struggles to find consistent transportation because she can’t drive and her support system has been unreliable. A gift of $200 would help her to purchase public transportation passes so that she can travel to work, earn a paycheck and build her resume.
Case 153: Joy is in 11th grade and is in FCA’s ASPIRE after-school program. After a difficult divorce, Joy’s mom couldn’t afford their home, and they moved to a smaller apartment. Unfortunately, they recently discovered that their new home is infested with pests. Joy’s mom works hard but is barely making ends meet, and they need to hire an exterminator. A gift of $500 would help them treat the pest problem and enjoy a healthy living environment.
Case 154: Tamara and Emmanuel have two children: an energetic toddler and a sweet infant. Tamara noticed that her baby was crying after every meal, and the baby was diagnosed with severe brain malformations, including microcephaly and an absent corpus callosum. While Tamara and Emmanuel face many challenges with this diagnosis, their most pressing need is a special formula for their baby. A gift of $450 would allow this family to purchase formula and pay medical bills.
Scan this QR code for a direct link to donate to the Giving Fund for 2022.
Contributed by FCACase 155: Gwen and her son are supported by FCA’s Supportive Housing for Families program and have overcome homelessness. Gwen recently completed a Certified Nursing Assistant program and received her license. Due to her studies, she has not been able to work as many hours as she needs, but Gwen is determined to stay current on rent so that her child can remain in a school where he is thriving. A gift of $500 would help her with the rent as she works on finding a job in her new field.
Case 156: Catherine is 9 and lives with her father and younger brother. Two years ago, her mother was hit and killed by a drunken driver. Catherine and her brother, who experienced grief and trauma, have been receiving mental health services at FCA. But Catherine still faces serious challenges. Catherine’s father has been absent from work frequently to support her. A gift of $350 would support their finances so that Catherine can continue healing and her father can be present for her during this difficult time.
Case 157: Claire and her three siblings live with their mother in a cramped apartment. They have loud neighbors and rodents in their home. Claire’s mom lost her job during COVID-19, and they have struggled to maintain rent payments. In addition, Claire is bullied at school and is struggling in her classes. FCA’s ASPIRE program is working with the school to help Claire. A gift of $500 would help Claire’s mom catch up on rent so she can focus on helping her daughter.
Case 158: Jessica and Violet are sisters who were placed together in foster care. Both have learning disabilities and are struggling at school. A gift of $250 would provide a few months of tutoring for both girls as they work to catch up to their peers.
Case 159: Haley and her daughter lived in a shelter for six months and recently found a new apartment. Unfortunately, Haley’s hours have been cut at work. She’s looking for a new job, but she is falling behind on her rent. A gift of $500 would help her remain housed with her daughter while she finds more stable employment.
To contribute to any of these cases, visit https://bit.ly/FCAGivingFund22
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