Say a little prayer. . .

I have a couple of friends who are about to be homeless. They both lost their jobs and have been unable to find work - the state they live in has really high unemployment problems right now. Neither one of them have families that would be willing to be of any help and they've maxed out their savings in an attempt to survive. I spoke with one of them today and they have less than a week and a half to come up with their rent and even the temp jobs seem to have dried up. They're seriously considering suicide at this point. I wish I had the money to give them, ya know?

I know it's probably not as important to some as it might be to others, but I know we've got people here who've been in this position. Please say a prayer for them, they really need it right now.

Thanks guys. :(

molly, have them check out www.modestneeds.org

....they have to make the request themselves.

That is the saddest news I've heard in a circle that I'm actively involved with. Isn't there anything that can be done for them, Molly? Hi - BTW!

Are they involved with a church organization or some other civic something? I may not know exactly what I'm talking about but I hope you know what I'm trying to say. :confused:

I'm in bad shape myself, financially but I would be willing to contribute a dollar. I know it's not much but if all of us who actively post put in a dollar several one dollar bills could add up to quite a considerable amount. Just an idea. I'm not advocating that this be done. However, I would hate to know that I had the opportunity to help someone really in need, and didn't do anything, only for something more horrible to occur at a later time. I also feel the need to reach out and help others right now.

Please PM me Molly if you want to proceed with something. If we do go ahead with this we could do it anonymously. I understand how pride can sometimes effect accepting charity. My prayers and good thoughts for your friends will be in my heart.

Actually I like your idea Oub... what nickname can we have for you... your name is too long LOL

I like the idea of church groups helping... if only they were Mormons their troubles would be over... some groups just stick together.

But without that I think a gift of one month's rent from anonymous strangers may make these people feel they are not alone on the world.

I would be willing. I mean to contribute, I can hardly pay MY rent.

Oh guys, that is so sweet of you to offer. It was never my intention to solicit funds, though. I would never dream of asking people to contribute, though, so many people have their own financial problems, I'd hate to put anybody out. They need $630.00 for the rent, that's a lot of cash.

They DO belong to a church but it doesn't have a benevolence fund. I guess it's not big enough. And, no, they're not mormons, you're right, Swan, they take care of their own. They really could use that right about now. As for civic groups, the city they live in pretty much caters emergency funds to those with children. Those without, go without. I tell you what, I'm NEVER moving to FL (sorry to all our Ageless buddies who live in FL and love it. this particular city sucks eggs big time).

You're right Oub, it's sad. Never would I have dreamed that either one of these people would be in this type of position. I'm very worried about them right now. I've got every prayer group and team I know praying for them, I've asked my friends and associates to pray for them, this just cannot end the way they're envisioning, with them homeless with nowhere to go.

Kerri, I sent them the link for modest needs. I doubt they'd qualify, though, they don't have children. I'm hoping and praying, though. I keep kicking myself because I KNEW they were having these problems, I did the selfish thing and paid my first semester of school. I should have prorated or payment planned or something and given them the money. I know, I can't solve everybodies problems, but these are two of my closest friends and I just feel horrible that this awful thing is happening to them. I'm going to send them something next week when I get paid but it'll be nowhere near enough.

I appreciate everybodies prayers and the wonderful offers to donate. It's very kind of you.

don't discount modest needs....

You can help your friends by writing an articulate, concise story of what is happening with them.

Modest needs is open to direct philanthropy as well.
Modest needs has limited funds each month, but a stranger could read their story and offer to help.
This is not a site that discriminates.

It's not as much a shot in the dark as one might think.

:)

Thanks Kerri, I'm definitely going to do that.

Originally posted by molly
Thanks Kerri, I'm definitely going to do that.

Not a problem.

I recommend checking out this site to those who need one-time help, or those who are looking to help others.

Very interesting work done there. :D

Kerri completely read my mind. I was going to suggest modestneeds as well. I contribute to that organization each month. The owner has done some wonderful things for people.

I'll be thinking of them and will keep them in my prayers.

Thanks Whiterose. I'm in the process of working on the MN paragraph even as we speak.

That site is the neatest thing, Kerri, really.

hud (http://www.hud.gov/renting/)
They can contact hud, for section 8 or low income rentals and housing. It is a program that works, it just takes time to figure it out on their confusing website.
I hope this helps. Prayers to them.....
~

Okay, it took some convincing, but I was able to get one of my friends to go to modest needs and make the request himself. Being so depressed, he's not holding out much hope.

Thanks for the suggestion Snow. They already tried the hud route and were told they'd have a three to six month wait. They don't have that long. They have nine days now.

It was so sad last night. I called and they were packing and crying, trying to figure out where the heck they were going to go. I did my best to sound reassuring but it wasn't very reassuring, I'm afraid. They're both panicked and afraid and I really can't say that I blame them. I know I'd be too.

I've had a few more people pm, asking about making an anonymous donation for this situation. As I said, it was never my intention to solicit funds but, if it's something anybody would like to do, at this point, I think making a donation would be a nice thing to do. I'm going to do so as soon as I have my paycheck in hand. Please pm me or Obu if you're interested in doing something like this and we'll give you the information on where to send a donation.

Thanks again for your prayers, guys. I really appreciate it. I know my friends do too.

I just finished making a donation at Molly's friends' site through PayPal. It was very easy to do and took less than five minutes.

In case anyone didn't catch the note in Molly's last post, and you're interested in making an anonymous donation to their cause please feel free to email me or Molly and we'll direct you to the site.

Well, cross your fingers and pray hard, one of my friends has a job interview tomorrow. It won't solve the immediate rent problem but it will certainly solve the rest of their problems!!

Thanks again everybody, I appreciate your kindness and prayers and I know my friends do too.

Molly

Thanks Trish ~ and everybody else for your prayers. They had their interviews and they went quite well, I'm hoping and praying at least one of them gets a permanent job out of these last interviews. With their skills and work history, I can't imagine them going this long without being hired, it boggles my mind!

I'd like to thank everybody that was kind enough to donate towards their rent, that was very sweet of you. Along with what was donated, I've managed to scrape together some extra so now there's only about 280.00 left to find, I'm hoping their landlady will accept a majority check and wait for the rest - she can be a real witch. Again, thanks everybody, Daniel and Michelle appreciate it too.