Five weeks without pay and I couldn’t afford anything.

Seth

Roseville, CA

I’m thankful the Resident Relief program exists. It is simply miraculous that a group of people are out there that will help people who are temporarily having a really hard time.

A little over a year ago I separated from my now ex-wife. She had been unfaithful for years and I tried to be good with it but failed miserably. I spiraled down, feeling like I was not a good person because I was cheated on. Also, I had managed to go for 40+ years with never having been diagnosed with a disorder. I had been misdiagnosed seven times before and I kept having episodes, regardless of the treatment I had. Shortly after separating I was diagnosed properly and put on several medications. I started to feel mentally better. Unfortunately, my physical health deteriorated. I had found a new place to live and was trying to keep up with my work, but I was sick it seemed all the time. Also, my hands developed a tremor which made it nearly impossible to type and my job is done remotely, over the internet.

My boss at work was understanding, but if I couldn’t work, I wouldn’t get paid. My bills started to fall behind. Then all of the supervisors of the team I was on were laid off. I was assigned to another group, but that took about three weeks to secure and I didn’t start working for another week and didn’t get paid for a week after that. Five weeks without pay and I couldn’t afford anything. My mother began giving me what little money she could to help and grocery store gift cards so I could feed my daughter. I felt like a huge failure. I started talking to the front office staff of my apartments, afraid I couldn’t pay my rent. I was supposed to get settlements in the divorce, but that was taking forever. The lawyers were very expensive, and wanted to be paid. My car was three payments behind and the bank was threatening to repossess it. And, I couldn’t pay my rent. If I lost my car or apartment, I would lose custody of my daughter. I started to get pretty depressed, which was bound to happen since I couldn’t afford the medications that would make me feel mentally better. Everything looked more and more bleak.

It had been so long since I had a win, I forgot how it felt.

Somewhere about then one of the front office staff (FPI Management) recommended the Resident Relief program and encouraged me to apply. My depression was such that it took me almost a month and a half to apply. When I finally did, I was responded to quickly and after clearing up details, my application was submitted and I was approved for rent assistance.

After being awarded the grant, things started to turn around.

It had been so long since I had a win, I forgot how it felt. Turns out I just needed something to go right. Some sympathy from somewhere. I’m thankful the Resident Relief program exists; without it I wonder how much longer I could have kept going. It is simply miraculous that a group of people are out there that will help people who are temporarily having a really hard time.

After being awarded the grant, things started to turn around. This wasn’t all because of the Resident Relief program, but it was a big part of it. I cleaned my apartment. I opened some of the blinds and windows. I started eating better. I used the apartment’s gym facilities. I went swimming with my daughter more. I started spending a lot more time with my daughter in general. The house sold and I was able to catch up on all my bills. I can’t wait to go back to the eVolve financial program and read up on how to make what extra money I do have, work best for me.

It is simply miraculous that a group of people are out there that will help people who are temporarily having a really hard time.

I guess another thing I’m trying to say is that the money for rent was great, but equally important was the fact that someone cared enough to help. That I wasn’t a complete failure and I was worth helping.

I can never thank the Resident Relief Foundation enough for everything that they intentionally and unintentionally did for me.