Heidi, a nurse, was hospitalized and in a coma in critical condition when her social worker contacted Bloom Again. Heidi had no savings amd her mother was attempting to get state disability insurance for her, but that would take several weeks. In the meantime, there was no money to pay for the rent on her apartment and the landlord was threatening to evict her if the rent was not paid. Generous Bloom Again donors allowed the Board to pay for her rent to stem the eviction.
Natasha's ex-husband shot her six times, leaving this single mother of a ten year old and four month old with a collapsed lung and bullets that cannot be extracted from her body for some time. A Russian immigrant with no family in the United States, she was working on state-funded projects striving for independence when she became the victim of this hideous crime. Her primary concern was care for her four month old during her period of recuperation. Bloom Again provided her with $800 in child care assistance.
Tina was working as a sales clerk at a specialty kitchen shop when she learned she had a recurrence of breast cancer that required a double mastectomy. What was supposed to be just a few weeks off of work, turned into several months when the surgery caused a serious infection requiring yet another surgery. High insurance deductibles left her with over $15,000 in medical bills and on State disability with an income of only $1,200 monthly. Donations to Bloom Again enabled Tina to receive a gift of $900 to pay for her rent until she could get back on her feet.
Monique was a flight attendant out on disability leave when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. In the midst of her treatment, she was laid off from her job and left with no insurance and no income. In one short year she went from being fully employed to losing her home and being forced to move into a guest house. With a $900 gift from Bloom Again she was able to pay for one month's rent while she sought employment.
Irena works on a lunch truck earning minimum wage. In 2009 her husband lost his job, went to San Francisco seeking work and left her with their six children. He never returned and Irena got by supporting herself and her children until she slipped and fell at work. She wasn't able to work for several weeks and, in the meantime, got behind in her rent. She was about to be evicted and placed in a shelter with her children when Bloom Again Foundation was contacted. Through the generosity of Bloom Again donors, a gift of $1,730 enabled her to catch up on her back rent and pay for an additional month so she could get on her feet again.
Marcie and her husband sell churros on a street corner in East Los Angeles. They've always been independent but recent surgery prohibited Marcie from making the churros. As a result, their income declined and they were not able to pay the power bill in their modest home. Contributions from our donors enabled Bloom Again Foundation pay their electric bill of $101.00.
Barbara is the mother of two young children living in subsidized housing. She works several jobs to make ends meet, but the economy has reduced the number of hours available to her. When she went for medical tests it was discovered that she was severely anemic. The doctor asked her to rest and not work for several months. He was amazed that she could do as much as she does with anemia. Generous donors made it possible for Bloom Again to pay $114.00 for Barbara's utility bill. When asked if she was going to need help the next several months she insisted that she wouldn't, because she would work a day or two a week in order to make sure she could pay her bills, even though her doctor advised her otherwise.
Ana, a kindergarten aide earning minimum wage, has been plagued by health issues. While awaiting surgery for the removal of an ovarian tumor, she was struck on the back of the head by a patient in her mother's nursing home, dislocated three discs, and now needs back surgery as well. She is hardworking and conscientious but these medical situations have caused her to miss work and requested $500 to pay for her rent. Bloom Again was happy to be able to help Ana and her family stay in their home.
Rosie, the mother of four children (one a special needs child) and a domestic abuse survivor, was working as a seamstress in the textile industry in downtown Los Angeles when health issues forced her seek other employment. She then worked as an assistant restaurant manager, earning minumum wage, when surgery for ovarian tumors caused her to have to leave that job. Although Bloom Again could not help to pay all of her outstanding bills, we were able to provide $1,480 to cover her rent and $210 for her utility bill until she gets on her feet again.
Renee was working as a school crossing guard when she was caught in the middle of gang violence. She was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Shot in both legs, she was forced to leave the job that provided for herself and her six year old daughter. Despite the fact that she continues to work with rehabilitation specialists, social security denied her disability application. Renee was about to be evicted from her apartment when Bloom Again stepped foward with $1,000 to enable her to remain in her residence.
Dana was working as a home health aide when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. While going through radiation treatment was unable to work and fell behind in her half of the rent of the apartment she shares with a friend. Bloom Again paid $412.50 to help her get on her feet again.
Elena works in construction and when leaving mass one Sunday morning another car hit hers, sending her to the hospital with a broken leg. Her car was impounded after the accident and since she couldn't drive, there it remained there for several weeks. When she finally was able to return to work she needed $1,074.76 to get the car out of impound. Generous donors to Bloom Again enabled her to retrieve her car and start working again.
