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Thanks to your help, woman can use car for transportation--not shelter

Dear W.C.,

I lost my job at a cleaning company four months ago due to people not having enough money to pay for a cleaning service any longer. The company I had worked for 15 years closed its doors. Myself and five other people were left without jobs.

I was never able to have children. My husband died right before I began working for the cleaning company. I have been on my own for many years. I took in my 17-year-old niece last year when she shared with me her struggles with her parents and other issues. I have been working hard to provide for us.

Several months after I lost my job, we were evicted. It is very scary being homeless and living out of my car. We never get a good night’s sleep, being two women alone in a car. It is very unsettling knowing you are poor, living with constant struggles, with no home, or place to rest and pray in peace.

One of my former co-workers from the cleaning company has gotten a job managing rental properties and has been letting us stay in homes that are not rented. The owner said it is temporary. I feel terrible putting them in this position, but I know I must have a safe place for my niece to sleep, shower and do her homework.

I have just found out I have a new full-time cleaning job and I am looking forward to beginning work again. I also have an opportunity to rent one of the rentals at half rent in exchange for cleaning rental properties. The owner is a real nice person. I would love this arrangement and feel it is our only way out of homelessness.

There are numerous properties. Some are close and some are miles apart. I was told the job is mine if I am reliable. I am reliable, but my old car is not.

Jobs are hard to find. I am a hard worker. I have a chance to provide for my niece and I. The fear of homelessness will always inspire me to work hard. Could you please help us?

-- Homeless aunt and niece

Dear readers,

This woman and her niece would have been living on the streets if it wasn’t for her caring friend and a heartfelt property owner. I could see this woman had a plan to end their homelessness, all they needed was some help.

I spoke with the helpful friend, the new employer and the property owner and did some looking into the story of how the niece came to be living with the aunt. Everyone had nothing but kind words to say about the woman and the terrible life the niece had been living before moving in with the aunt.

When I met the aunt and niece, I was there before them and watched as they arrived in an older car, packed with their belongings. I had grabbed some sandwiches on my way, not knowing if they would be hungry, but lately nearly everyone I meet for assistance is hungry. They were not the exception. After our introductions I told them to help themselves to the food.

We talked through their meal. It was a weekend and the niece said she tried to skip breakfast on the weekends because she usually ate it at school during the week. I could see this made the aunt sad.

The aunt said, “I took her in to give her a better life. Now she is homeless and going hungry because of me.”

The niece reassured her saying, “No, no auntie. I am much better with you.”

We moved on to talking about their present situation. The homelessness needed to be addressed immediately. The aunt was so excited the rental they were being offered was within the school district and the niece would be able to take the bus to school. I could see her main priority was her niece.

The niece said she was working with her guidance counselor to continue her education after high school as well. The aunt was very proud of this as she said she had never finished her education and always regretted that choice in her life.

I already had spoken with the owner about the job and the available rental. The job was a good arrangement. The aunt was excited for the extra hours in exchange for a break on half her rent. It would relieve a great deal of stress for them to finally be in their own place.

After going over their needs, we made several needed repairs to the aunt’s car. They did not have beds or many household necessities. These had been left behind at the eviction. We helped to establish them in their new rental with beds, furniture, grocery store gift cards, gas cards and other necessities. I explained how The Time Is Now to Help works with the support of all of you who make our good works possible. The aunt and niece were extremely grateful to all of you and happily on their way to a new life.

Once again, together, we make our world a better place doing God’s good works. Thank you for caring and sharing.

Health and happiness,

God bless everyone,

W.C./Sal

Please help: Make checks payable to: The Time Is Now to Help, P.O. Box 70, Pell Lake, WI 53157. The Time Is Now to Help is a federally recognized 501(c)3 charitable organization licensed in Wisconsin and Illinois. You will receive a tax-deductible, itemized thank-you receipt showing exactly what every penny of your donation provided for the poverty stricken.

A very special thank you to: Geneva National, Mark and Natalie Reno, Walworth Fontana Rotary Foundation, Dick and Jean Honeyager, Kunes Country Auto Group, James and Lynne Newman Foundation, Paul Ziegler/Ziegler Charitable Foundation, Excel Family Chiropractic & Wellness, Indigo Yoga Studio, ITW Foundation, Abbott Laboratories employee giving, Beth Rendall, Gerald and Marilyn Wilkin, Leslie Scheurer, Clifford and Louise Morris, Robert and Patricia Davis, Taylor Luoma, Michael Glass, Clarence and Doris Hart, Donald and Mildred Carl, W.C. Family Resource Center/Food Pantry volunteers and all the God-loving volunteers of all our caring food pantries, all of you who support The Time Is Now to Help donation boxes, and the businesses that allow our donation boxes. Anyone who would like a Time Is Now donation box in your business, please call (262) 249-7000.

You can helpf

What: The Time is Now can be contacted by mail or online only.

Mail: P.O. Box 70, Pell Lake, WI 53157.

Online: www.timeisnowtohelp.org