Success Stories

Mr. Parsons has known how good life can get.  He also knows how tough it can be - that's when we met him.  A retired investment banker, Mr. Parsons never expected to have to ask for help.  But when he needed it, he called 2-1-1 and was connected to the Care for Elders' Access Network.  Through the Network he received case management services and support from the Flexible Funding Pool that allowed him to have critical dental work done; he also received assistance from our Field Specialist with enrolling in utility programs.  Meet Mr. Parsons in the video below, he can tell you how Care for Elders helped him when it mattered most. 

Ms. M

Ms. M is alive. After losing her job, things had gone from bad to worse.  In order to make ends meet, she had used a payday lender to cover a $400 car expense so she could go back to work as a home care attendant.  Over a period of three months, Ms. M paid a whopping $1,600 in interest but was not able to afford paying the original $1,200 loan.  The lender would call three times a day, wanting the loan payment.

With an eviction notice and stacks of unpaid bills before her, Ms. M picked up the phone and dialed 2-1-1 for help.  The elder care expert she spoke to found an older adult in an unfortunate and yet, common situation.  Ms. M lived on the edge of financial stability in the best of times, but losing her job pushed her into crisis. 

Ms. M was connected with Access Network partner Sheltering Arms Senior Services for case management services.  Upon initial assessment, the case manager found Ms. M in an apartment with no heat or lights, and using an ice chest as a refrigerator.  She was living without food or needed medications and doctor's visits.  Ms. M's family was struggling as much as she was or even more; leaving her alone, depressed and worried about her future. 

The case manager began arranging and coordinating services for Ms. M and worked with her to access new housing, health care and social services.  The case manager also partnered with Adult Protective Services to address Ms. M's looming eviction.  Care for Elders' field specialist delivered food and medication to Ms. M; helped her complete applications for utility assistance, food stamps and housing; and advocated for her rights with the predatory payday lender.

"Mama" is what the couple Ms. M moved in with calls her.  It is an affordable and safe rental house, with lights on and food in the new refrigerator, purchased through Care for Elders' Flexible Funding Pool.  Ms. M started a new part-time job and proudly, can pay her bills.  Ms. M's story reflects the impact of coordinated services, committed professionals and flexible funds on a deadly situation; her success is our story.

Eura Greene

Ms. Greene is 64 years old, lives alone, and is diabetic.  She called 211 when facing eviction from her apartment.  She was immediately connected to a Care for Elders Enhanced I&R Specialist who identified multiple needs and referred her to Jewish Family Service, one of the Access Network partners providing case management services. 

Ms. Greene did not have sufficient funds for rent because of an error made by Social Security in the premium deducted from her monthly Social Security check for her Medicare-QMB.  She needed help resolving the billing error and the subsequent financial problems it created over a two-month period, i.e. her ability to pay rent, utilities, purchase food and other necessary items. 

As a partner in Care for Elders Access Network, Jewish Family Service was able to coordinate a variety of community resources that provided emergency food for Ms. Greene.  However, it was only because of CFE's Flexible Funding Pool that Ms. Greene was able to pay her rent and avoid eviction from her apartment, plus purchase other critical, non-food items.

Mary Jones

Ms. Jones is a fragile 82 year old female who has experienced poverty first hand. She is a very friendly and sweet woman who writes poems and loves to recite these poems to the case manager on each visit. The client stated that she has written these poems since she was young and has many volumes of her creative work.

Living on a very limited income and receiving minimal assistance with food stamps, Ms. Jones basic life style has become one of survival. The client is also receiving additional stress because her daughter is now living with her and is unemployed. At the initial home visit to Ms. Jones, the case manager discovered that she was very low on food and needed assistance in getting her electric bill paid on time. In addition, she had recently had to go to the apartment manager to request financial arrangements in paying her rent, due to her high electric and gas bills.

The client was in great fear of being evicted - she had always kept her finances in order. She was worried that her bills were getting out of control. The case manager helped her through her anxiety by letting her know that Sheltering Arms had a utility assistance program that could assist her with her utility bills. After submission of the documentation to the Sheltering Arms CEAP program, the client received a substantial amount of funds toward her electric bills. The case manager also, with Ms. Jones' permission, spoke with the apartment manager to let her know that it was very nice of her to help the client not be evicted.

Ms. Jones was greatly relieved that she had found an agency that could help her with her financial issues.  With assistance with her electric bills, she was able to use her money toward other critical things like food, clothes, and other daily necessities.