You can make a difference during the holiday season

Every Thursday and Sunday through the end of the year, the Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time will publish short stories about local families and people in need of a helping hand. The names of those included have been changed to protect their privacy.

Each case will include an estimated dollar amount that would help them face everyday challenges like rent payments, child care costs and transportation. Every dollar donated to the Giving Fund goes directly to the clients in need.

The Stamford Advocate and Greenwich Time sponsors The Giving Fund in partnership with Family Centers and Person-toPerson.

Case #330

Saraih was very excited when she found out she was pregnant with her first child. She continued working until her doctor said she needed to be regularly monitored for a possible abnormality with her pregnancy. Unfortunately, she lost the baby, was then out of a job, and consequently fell behind on her rent. A grant of $500 would allow her to stay in her apartment, while she copes with her loss and takes time to heal and move forward.

Case #331

Anthony is 69 years old and has been diagnosed with a chronic mental illness. He struggles each month to live on a very low income from Social Security benefits. His 12year-old car is badly in need of repairs, but he cannot afford to have them done. A gift of $798 would cover the cost of four new tires and other needed repairs on his car and keep him connected to the outside world.

Case #332

Jerome and Donna have chronic mental disabilities and are struggling to live on low fixed incomes. Each month, they often choose which bills they will pay in full and which bills they can only partially pay. They are currently backed up in paying the rent. A gift of $775 would help them become current with their rent and give them considerable peace of mind for the holidays.

Case #333

Desiree, who works after-school in a used clothing store, helps out her family by paying the telephone, cable and utility bills. Her father is elderly and retired, and her mother works as a home health aide. Desiree is stretched thin by all of her responsibilities. A gift of $500 to pay the family’s utility bills throughout the winter would be an amazing holiday present.

Case #334

Ines was sent to live with her grandmother a year ago, leaving four siblings and her parents in a rural town, to make a better life for herself and get a good education. Her grandmother is still working, and Ines, too, has a job after school to save for college next year. A gift of $500 to help put food on the table and pay the rent would be a blessing in this holiday season.

Case #335

The youngest of several siblings, Sehar lives with her elderly parents, who live paycheck to paycheck. Though her parents are ready to retire, there is no chance of that, because Sehar is still in high school and hopes to go to college next year. She has taken on two jobs after school but money is still tight. A gift of $500 for food and utilities over the winter would be an incredible asset for this hardworking family.

Case #336

Bernard and his four siblings, mother and grandmother live in a small home; they fled violence in Haiti and are trying to find safety and security in Stamford. Bernard’s little sister was stricken with cancer and most of the family’s resources have gone toward her medical care. A gift of $800 would help to cover some of the cost-of-living expenses this fragile family faces.

Case #337

Family violence left Marina, her younger brother and mother in a precarious financial situation. Through months of legal and police involvement, the little family is finally feeling safe — but their finances are drained. A gift of $500 would help Marina and her family have food over the winter to help them move on in a positive direction.

Case #338

Kaila’s parents were 14 when she was born. Though their relationship ended, their responsibilities did not. After some turbulent times, Kaila is now living with her father; she is proud of how he has taken his role as parent so seriously. In fact, her father is a very young man who works two jobs to care for his daughter. A gift of $500 would help pay rent and relieve some stress for this dedicated dad.

Case #339

Jayda’s mother won’t let friends come to their apartment to visit: there are too many mice, which are a health hazard and embarrassment. The family is looking at newer apartments to rent, ideally in time for the holidays so that relatives and friends can come to celebrate. A gift of $800 for rent would help this family find a cleaner, safer home.