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Good News Stories
*Names have been changed.
Betty* came to CCA as a walk-in client. One of her friends at work had told her that she might find some help at Christian Community Action. Betty stated that her crisis was the expense of moving to this area to protect herself and her daughters from an abusive husband. She almost immediately started crying. In between sobs, she apologized for being so emotional and told me she only came to CCA because her electricity was being disconnected the next day and she would not get paid for another week. She continued to cry while she told her caseworker that she couldn't bear to think of her children having to live without heat and without a way to do their homework after already being put through so much.
Betty was relieved when the caseworker told her that CCA would pay her electric bill and help her provide Christmas for her girls. With the immediate pressure off, Betty relaxed and started talking about her life: with little education and fee skills, she endured the abuse in her marriage until the violence turned towards her children. She knew if she left the responsibility of the children's needs, including health insurance would rest on her shoulders, but she knew she had to leave.
In addition to the financial aid and Christmas help, Betty was given a CHIP application for the girls and a referral to family counseling. While her difficulties are not over, she can face tomorrow a little easier with the help of Christian Community Action.