Change a Life Grant Recipient   

  

 

Seventy-eight year old Jack and his lovely wife, Nola, were active community members as soon as they became residents at AMCAL's Mirandela in Rancho Palos Verdes. They were enjoying community socials and educational classes hosted by LifeSTEPS. They became friends with their neighbors and got to know their LifeSTEPS social worker.

 

Then, nearly a year later, Jack had a stroke and everything changed. Their world was turned upside down. Jack could no longer walk without assistance and he was experiencing pain in his legs. He withdrew from his neighbors and his family. Nola was troubled by his depression and discomfort and sought out the LifeSTEPS Social Worker for help.

 

LifeSTEPS began conducting friendly visits to provide encouragement to Jack and Nola, as well as to evaluate what services would be useful to them. Jack's greatest obstacle was his inability to mobilize without assistance. Although he was still confined to his apartment, he was uplifted by his social worker's visits and support.

 

Many months after the stroke, Jack's social worker presented him with an opportunity to acquire an electric scooter through LifeSTEPS' partnership with Change a Life Foundation. Jack and Nola were delighted with the possibility. LifeSTEPS was able to successfully secure a grant on Jack's behalf. Through the provision of an electric scooter Jack's independence was restored- as was his zest for life!

 

Once again, Jack can be seen outside in the fresh air, attending educational classes and socializing with friends and neighbors at community gatherings. He is enjoying visiting with his family again and Nola is relieved  to see that the depression has lifted and appreciates the support they have received from the Change a Life Foundation and continues to receive from LifeSTEPS.

Helping Families 

Property Management often plays an integral role in helping clients stay securely housed. At times they are the first to know that a resident is experiencing a crisis. For example, when a client that typically pays their rent on time falls behind on rent, this is often a red flag. The close working relationship between property management and LifeSTEPS expedites solutions for residents in crisis.

 

Management refers residents to LifeSTEPS as well as notifies LifeSTEPS that a family may need help. For example, when the Nunez family suffered a setback, LifeSTEPS and Property Management worked together to meet their needs. Manager, Marie Cook, was quick to respond to requests for paperwork necessary to process their client assistance request.

 

This large close knit family has been residing at Terracina Cathedral City Apartments since 2003. They have experienced various difficulties of late, including a death in the family, physical ailments and then Mrs. Nunez was laid off from her job at the Marriott Hotel. Any one of these could lead to financial difficulties, but in combination they left the family unable to pay their rent.

 

Mrs. Nunez sought out LifeSTEPS for assistance. Her LifeSTEPS Social Worker helped her apply for unemployment benefits. They also reviewed the family's budget and determined that they qualified for financial assistance from the LifeSTEPS Client Assistance Program.  LifeSTEPS was able to help with rent which alleviated some of the financial stress as well as created a means for Mr. Nunez to get retinopathy surgery - a medical procedure to prevent his vision from further deteriorating. Funding for this family was made possible through LifeSTEPS partnership with the Weingart Foundation.

 

This story is a great example of how LifeSTEPS wrap around services meet the needs of families on many levels. In addition to providing rental assistance, the family's oldest daughter is benefiting from a scholarship from the JB Brown Fund while she attends CSU San Bernardino. The grade school aged children are improving their grades at the LifeSTEPS After School Program and each child has been recognized at their school as a "Student of the Month."

 

The family actively gives back by serving at community events. Their positive attitude contributes to their resilience in the face of adversity. The LifeSTEPS Social Worker reports that she is honored to work with them. And likewise, Mrs. Nunez tells us, "I am pleased to know that a program like this is in my community. LifeSTEPS wants to help us. Our social worker is so kind and loving and enjoys working with the residents at Terracina at Cathedral City."

 

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