Spring 2021 Newsletter
An Update from the Board
It has been a little over a year since the first COVID-19 cases were reported in the Seattle area. While we’ve all seen the numbers, the deep and pervasive impact that this disease has had on our communities can be difficult to comprehend.
Over the past year, UCEF has seen record numbers of people looking for assistance. Fortunately, we’ve been able to help all of those that qualify, thanks to the support of you and our partner churches. In 2020, we helped 789 people with rent, utilities, and move-in costs, a 36% increase over 2019. We increased the maximum amount of money we provided per visit from $150 in 2019 to $250 in 2020. Our total assistance to people in need more than doubled. We distributed $81,915 in 2020, compared to $36,389 in 2019. Again, this would not have been possible without your generous support of UCEF's work.
As a way to reflect on that support and to show you the real difference your donations make, we’ve decided to dedicate this entire newsletter to the stories of those we serve. While names have been changed to respect privacy, each of the stories you read here represents a real person that UCEF has helped in the past year.
Hopefully, the growing availability of effective vaccines starts to make a dent in the human toll of this virus. However, we expect that demand for assistance will remain high throughout 2021. We continue to need your support. As you will read in these stories, every dollar counts.
Thank you,
The UCEF Board of Directors
From the Director’s Desk
A Little Close to Home
After 18 years on the job, I suppose it was bound to happen. I got a call from a case manager asking me to help a guy with his light bill. He'd been moved to a nursing home and wasn't able to pay his bills. Turns out I went to school with the man, grade school through high school. How sad to learn of his struggles.
It certainly made me realize, yet again, how blessed I am to have this job, this ministry. And how fragile life is- especially during these extraordinary times we live in. Even with the increased availability of vaccinations in fighting this pandemic, it's still anybody's guess as to whether we will return to life as it once was.
So, during this season of Lent, I encourage you all to take a good look at the blessings in your life. Know that there is somebody out there that you, too, grew up with who does not find themselves in as good a place as you. Know that you can make a difference. Your support helps us help folks like you and yours. May God's abundance flow through you.
Jo Gustafson, Executive Director
Family First
A client we helped a number of years ago asked for rent assistance again. He lives in low income housing and gets a social security check of about $790 each month. He'd fallen short this month and was unable to cover his rent. His daughter was diagnosed with COVID-19, had been sick for three weeks, and was finding it increasingly difficult to breathe.
Our client was beside himself because he couldn't be with her and couldn't help her. He didn't know what to do, so he sent her money—his rent money. He didn't know if she would even be able to use it, but he had to do something and this was all he could think to do.
We were able to help with $250, and referred him to another agency for the remainder of his rent.
Whiplash
Recently, a client shared how he had found a job online and was excited to begin work. The company was a well- known international firm. He went through three days of training and was sent a check for his time. Then he was told to purchase some office supplies for which he would be reimbursed and that he would begin work soon.
Lo and behold, no check came for reimbursement. Worse yet, the bank told him the first check he had deposited had come back with a stop payment. All attempts to contact the company were in vain. He filed fraud charges with the bank only to find out there is no reciprocal agreement with the country the business is in. Our client was left trying to pick up the pieces and build his life again.
We were glad we could help him with a portion of his rent.
Difficulty Upon Difficulty
Victor called for some rent help recently. His wife, who had been working in a restaurant, had been laid off. He was a driver, but sadly, he had been stabbed while on the job, and was unable to work. He couldn't pay for his car and lost it. They also have two kids, and had no idea what to do next.
We were able to help with $250 and referred him to three other agencies for additional help.