Ms. Jessie lights up whenever asked about her late husband, Joe, of 60 years. They married young and lived a happy life, together raising a niece and a nephew of her late sister. Sadly, her life was turned upside down six years ago when her beloved Joe suddenly passed away. Not long after his death, Mr. Joe’s monthly social security checks stopped coming, and Ms. Jessie found herself having to move out of the home they shared because she could no longer afford it. In order to find a new place, she quickly realized she would first need to find a job. That proved to be a daunting task for the 82-year-old.
Eventually, Ms. Jessie took a job as a Customer Service Representative with Disability Link, but the low wages she was receiving were not nearly enough to cover her security deposit and monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment. Instead, she found a cramped room in a boarding house in a crime-ridden community where no senior citizen should be living alone.
A friend told her about New Life Community Alliance, and recommended Ms. Jessie reach out for help to find stable housing. NLCA Case Manager, Tammy Stanton, wasted no time in getting to work for her. After connecting with a few leads, Tammy arranged for Ms. Jessie to see an apartment in a nearby Senior Living Community. When Ms. Jessie walked in, she immediately felt like she was home. Ms. Jessie has her independence, and most importantly, her privacy again. She feels very safe in her secure building, and has even made a few new friends!
NLCA has provided programs to help neighbors like Ms. Jessie in South DeKalb for over 17 years.
Your tax-deductible contribution directly supports individuals and families living 200% of more below the poverty line and provides access to core programs including:
- Dignity Services Program to meet urgent and emergent needs including food, clothing, and grooming.
- Affordable and Income-Based Housing to provide rental assistance, emergency shelter, and affordable and income-based housing.
- Workforce Development to offer career counseling; employment and entrepreneurial opportunities; technology-oriented job training, upskilling and new living-wage positions through our partnership with People Shores.
- Health to provide access to wellness education, on-site behavioral health education and/or quality preventive healthcare for under-insured and uninsured individuals.
On behalf of Ms. Jessie and the deserving residents NLCA is proud to serve, we are grateful for your thoughtful consideration and financial support of these life-impacting efforts!
P.S. – Click here to learn about our work or to make a tax-deductible donation. Gifts may also be mailed to: 3592 Flat Shoals Road, Decatur, GA 30034.
