Homelessness looms as grandmother struggles to care for abused children
SAL DIMICELI
Dear W.C., I am in the process of helping an elderly woman who is a family friend move. She has had custody of her three grandchildren ever since her son and his wife went to jail. The children had been living in filth and hunger for months before she gained custody. She has been forced to sell her home as she can no longer aff ord the payments on her second mortgage, taxes and upkeep.
They are having a very difficult time financially. She will not have enough money left from the sale for even a security deposit and first month's rent. She has used up every penny of her retirement savings to gain custody of and care for her grandchildren. She has taken on the task of restoring their mental and physical health after they suff ered several years of abuse and neglect by their parents. When I spoke to her yesterday, she was desperate to find a solution to keep them from becoming homeless and the children losing the sense of security they have found by living with their grandmother. Could you please investigate her situation and possibly help her find a solution other than moving into a motel or trying to find room in an already full homeless shelter?
Dear Readers, I immediately contacted this elderly woman as time was of the essence. The closing on her home was days away and she still did not have a solution to their housing dilemma. I knew the person who referred her to be a good and honest person and they were very concerned about her and the children's welfare.
The elderly woman was distressed as we spoke. She did not have any idea where she and her three grandchildren could go for help. The homeless shelter was indeed full, and she could not aff ord a motel. Her car was not an option as she told me how her grandchildren were still traumatized from the times they had slept in cars and tents with their neglectful drug-addicted parents. She knew this would undo the past year she had spent getting her grandchildren to trust and feel secure again.
We discussed many things during our long conversation. I learned about her son's heartbreaking decline into addiction after a car accident had him on pain medications for too long. He kept trying stronger and stronger medications. Eventually his doctor stopped refilling his prescription and he turned to whatever he could find, which led to his and his wife's addiction and eventual arrest for selling drugs and child endangerment.
The grandmother cried tears of shame and loss over her son, but she also was angry over the condition her grandchildren were in when they were brought to her care. She is adamant that they will remain in her care until they are of legal age. I commended her on her dedication to the children. That would be a difficult undertaking at any age. It was not easy for her as she suff ered from several health conditions brought on by age.
After a long conversation we both got to work looking for a solution to her possible homelessness. We ended our call with gift cards for food, toiletries and clothing being dropped off by a caring volunteer. We also agreed to talk again the following day after she checked in with a possible rental.
It was several days later when I heard from the grandmother again, but I was relieved to hear that one of the rentals she had inquired about was available that week. It was an answer to all our prayers. I arranged for the rent and security deposit to be delivered immediately so she did not risk losing this only opportunity to save them from homelessness. We would also provide assistance with several other expenses to help them get back on track. By removing the stress of homelessness and worry over displacing her grandchildren, we together brought compassion to this grandmother and grandchildren. She cried many tears of relief and gratitude thanks to the help she received, thanks to your support.
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Health & Happiness, Love & GOD Bless Everyone, Sal
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Memorials: In memory of Eleanore G. Barth from Vicki, Andy, Pete, Toni, Karen, and Chuck. David Southward in memory of Betty Jane Kroupa.
Prayer Chain: The power of prayer and positive thoughts comes from the true healer, our Lord answering our prayers. Please pray for healing for the following people: Brian, Mike, Sylvia, Megan, Kayla, Maria C., Sal, Betty, Scott, Annie, Marilyn, Brandon, Helen, Dennis, Mary, Joseph, Jordan, Jean, Tom L., Dr. Peter, Alyce, Matthew, Pam E., Jenene B., John S., Patricia H., Darlene, Ron K., Marian K., Judy, Wendy, Eric, Anthony, Mary, Charlie, Tom P., Christina, Billy, Mike, Cheryl, Bryan E., and Ellie.
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