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This is the final story in our three-part series about single moms struggling with housing and financial insecurity.
Nadira is a devoted single mother doing everything she can to provide a stable life for her young child. She lives with lupus: a painful, chronic illness that often makes even the simplest tasks feel impossible. Though she receives permanent disability benefits, the rising cost of rent means she still needs to work, even if only part-time.
To manage her health and schedule, Nadira drives for Amazon Flex, delivering packages on her own terms, in her own car. It’s work she can fit into her good days. But every spring, her condition flares up. This year, the pain and fatigue were especially intense, leaving her unable to drive or earn enough to supplement her limited Social Security income.
As her symptoms worsened, so did the financial strain. Nadira fell behind on rent and had no idea how she could catch up without sacrificing her health, wellbeing, and housing stability.
Just as things began to feel unmanageable, Friends In Deed’s Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance Program (EPRA) offered a way forward.
EPRA paid off the rent Nadira owed in arrears and provided an additional three months of future rent support. This critical assistance gave her the breathing room to rest, heal, and prepare to return to work on her own timeline, as her health allows.
EPRA’s success isn’t measured solely by the dollars spent or the number of months covered. Often, its greatest impact lies in the space our support creates—for a family to heal, stabilize, and rediscover hope for the future.
In order to care for people like Nadira, and the thousands of other folks we serve, we need committed people on staff who have the capacity to help folks day in and day out. I am beyond grateful to work with the amazing people on our Friends In Deed team, human beings that have so much empathy, compassion, and huge hearts. As you can imagine, it takes a toll on them, emotionally, mentally, and physically. That is why I am so appreciative that the board of directors supports me in offering a ‘summer break’ to all staff as a way to appreciate their efforts, giving time for rest and rejuvenation. As such, all offices and programs will be closed from 6/29-7/6. The staff made sure to stock up our clients with as much food, toiletries, and other necessities as possible until we return on July 7th.
Before our fiscal year ends on June 30th, I hope you will consider making a gift so that we can continue to serve our most vulnerable neighbors with compassion and dignity. Thank you!
Blessings and have a lovely weekend,
Rabbi Joshua
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