Does anybody know?

[RhiannynWildseed]

Ok, I'm in a bit of a stitch here. I have a very good friend that lives in Cambridge, OH who is in some serious need of some help. She's a mother of 5 (ranging from 14 to about 18 months). She is seperated from her husband who just got out of jail not that long ago. He is not doing his part by paying his child support. All he wants to do is try to worm his way back into the home, and she and her kids don't want him there. (He was abusive among many other things.)

The problem is she is so behind on her bills that it doesn't seem like she has any chance to get ahead. She does get food stamps, and for that I'm grateful because I know she and the kids can eat, and she gets energy assistance to take care of the electric bill. However, she doesn't have the money to take care of other things the kids need. (I'm not sure what other bills she's got besides the phone who is going to shut her off for being behind $30 and the water bill) But she is also behind in rent by about $1300-1400. She has a really understanding landlady.

I just want to know if anyone out there knows any charitable organizations that will help out people like her. We did track down one Methodist Church that appears to help the needy, but she's been to the Salvation Army and they told her they were out of funds. :ugh: She's waiting on an income tax refund that got snatched because she filed with her estranged husband to receive a bigger refund. The problem there is he committed unemployment fraud, and she has no clue when she'll get her refund or how much will be left.

Does anyone out there know of any resources for people like her?

Rhiannyn

[Xander67]

she should file a restraining order against the ex..

this way there is no way he can get back in the house..
if he is living there, it could effect her assistance.

[Shanti]

I know here in Wisconsin their isnt really any help. Resources are tapped out and budget cuts have pretty much eliminated assistance for people like your friend. I hope that in her neck of the country she has a better chance at finding assistance.

[Xander67]

She may be able to find resources on the Single parents boards, I know they have a few good ones.

[Old Witch]

Send her to the Catholic Charities.........they are great about helping with things like that..........

[Elise]

Where I live there's a charity called "Council of Churches" and a couple others that are church related that do everything from help people get in their own apt to help paying bills... She might see if there is something like that in her area

[RhiannynWildseed]

Oh, the ex- (or well, soon to be ex-. They are still 'legally' married.) isn't getting back in the house. No way, no how. She's told him that. He's currently staying with her sister and trying to use her to help convince my friend to try to work things out. HA! Fat chance.

She does have a new bf who is trying to help out. He's actually giving up his all utilities paid apartment to move in with her and her kids so he can use the $400 a month he would have paid in rent to help her out. They would've moved in with him, but it was just a one bedroom apartment and no pets allowed. (She has a great dane, doberman, and saint bernard puppy + 1 manx cat) I do believe they are going to check out the churches and see what they can find available. I found a ton of energy assistance programs online for her area, but she already has that.

I would tell her to check out the forum here, but she's behind on her phone bill and her isp bill, so she doesn't have internet access at this time. She had to go down to a cousins house to use his computer just to let me know she was still alive. I'll keep looking to see what I can find for her though.

Rhiannyn