WGC's Emergency Response Network Raised $1,000 to Help a Woman in Need in our Community - Thank You!

The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County received a request to help with an immediate need in the community through our Emergency Response Network (ERN).

Our partners at Bridges to Housing Stability  requested $1,000 to help a woman in need.

And in minutes, our network of women philanthropists responded and we not only met, but exceeded our goal. Thank you!

Here's the story of the woman we helped today:

A woman and her husband moved to the United States nearly 20 years ago, encouraged by her family in Mexico, to seek a brighter future for themselves. Over the next ten years, they had two children and stayed employed at landscaping and restaurant jobs despite not having legal status. Unfortunately, her husband was caught and deported in 2014. The woman considered moving back to Mexico, but she realized that her children have much better opportunities in the United States and have lived here in Howard County all of their lives. The children are now teens, and this is their home. She decided to stay and support the kids on her own.

As she describes it, “I’ve tried to be a good person and raise good kids. It’s a much better life for them here. All I’ve been doing is working, working, and working. My goal has been to provide everything for my kids. ” They live in a one bedroom apartment and have been good tenants for many years.

Six weeks ago, this woman was laid off from her job at the Howard County restaurant where she had worked for 13 years. As an undocumented immigrant, she cannot apply for unemployment benefits. She is eager to work again but has to be cautious about approaching employers because of her status. She has been working odd jobs for cash – driving, cleaning, and anything else she can find – but could use some support paying her rent until she can find a full-time job. 

​She used her savings and what she could put together to pay her rent in full for March, and half of April. Now with May’s rent due, she owes $1,800, but believes she can come up with $800. Rental assistance funds are still very tight in the County, and due to her status she is not eligible for many programs.

This woman is a role model of determination. She says, “I’ve had to deal with a lot of things. I try to take the best out of any situation that comes my way. Bad times show you what you can handle and what you’re capable of ... I’m trying my best.”

Bridges to Housing Stability is working with this woman and helping with some funds for food and basic necessities, including hygiene products. Rent assistance will help her get caught up, and she will work to increase her various jobs in the coming weeks until she can return to work as restrictions are lifted. She is sure her previous employer will rehire her as she has been a loyal, hardworking employee for over a decade.

On behalf of our partners at Bridges to Housing Stability, we thank you for donating to help this woman with $1,000 in rental assistance.

Thank you!

Barb Van Winkle, Chair
Buffy Beaudoin-Schwartz, Executive Director
www.womensgivingcircle.org