2019 Stories

Client Stories from 2019

Stories from the Fill The Gap project in association with Interfaith of the Woodlands
[Note: All names are pseudonyms (names flagged with an asterisk (“*”).]

December 2019 Report

Client came to Interfaith of The Woodlands seeking assistance with her electric deposit. Client’s home was flooded during tropical storm, Imelda. Client worked with the Red Cross and has located a new home with her infant daughter and was required to pay a large deposit to connect her utilities. With the help of the Peace and Justice program, client will be able to pay her deposit allowing her begin a new start.

Client originally came in to the office as she needed help paying her Entergy bill as she had recently incurred an expense pertaining to the repair of her car. An $80 deposit charge was noted on the bill and Interfaith had just received additional funding that morning for the Peace & Justice Program. This client was assisted with the $80 for the deposit, an amount that she cited as a blessing as she said that she was now in a position to pay off the remainder of the bill on her own.

53 year old single mother and her 18 year old son. Client was subletting an apartment for the past 6 months until lease holder decided to move back in. Once the lease holder moved back she was obligated to move out and find a place of her own. Client was able to rent a home but was in need of electric deposit. The P & J was able to help with $370 towards utility deposit.

Female, 48, living in her car due to domestic violence. Client had not had a job in a while (since being in that relationship). Now has two jobs and a new place as we were able to help her with the deposit! She is so excited to have a safe home that she can decorate her way.

Single 61 year old woman, has been living with her brother for the last 2+ years as she incurred some financial issues and could no longer afford to live on her own. Due to recent overcrowding at her brother’s apartment. In order to provide relief for her brother’s growing family and for herself, Brenda has signed a lease at Tamarac Pines. The time spent at her brother’s place allowed her to save up some money for furniture and other fixtures for her new apartment. Client was still lacking the $301 deposit required to officially move-in to Tamarac Pines. On November 1st, Brenda was assisted with the $301 needed for the deposit by way of the Fill-The-Gap Program.

Fifty-seven year old single male, Recently made appointment with us for deposit assistance. Client stated that he has had a health decline that has caused him to be unemployed and lose his source of income. Client had been living with sister and says that it will be amazing not to be a burden to her anymore! He cried of happiness during his appointment!

Client is a 59 year old single male who spent 2 years helping his aunt after she had a stroke. After 2 years, client stated he began to neglect his own health and disabilities. After weeks on the waiting list to Tamarac pines, the P&J was able to assist with $388 towards rent deposit. Due to this assistance this client will now be able to go back to taking care of himself.

November 2019 Report

Client has resided at Montgomery Pines Apartment for just over 2 years with little to no problems in regards to handling her Entergy bill. 2 months ago she fell behind on a payment due to an unforeseen expense (one that she preferred not to disclose) and had her power turned off for a few days until she could secure the funds to pay the overdue bill. As a result, Entergy added an additional $160.00 charge to her account for the month of October in the form of a deposit in the event that another disconnection happens in the future.

Client is a 47 year old woman was living in a hotel for the past 2 years. After getting a divorce from her husband she had nowhere to go and no support from her family. After 2 years she was able to find an apartment complex that would work with her leasing history and give her a second chance at renting. The P & J was able to help with $600 towards rent deposit and help her start a new journey in life.

S & K moved to Texas from Nevada about a year ago. Due to undisclosed reasons they found themselves to be homeless and are staying at the Salvation Army. Sandy works for temp agency and it has been hard for them to come up with funds to pay a eposit for an apartment. They have been approved for a place in Conroe and have been able to receive food stamps as well. Thanks to the Peace and Justice Network they were able to get their deposit paid and will be moving into their new home next week.

October 2019 Report

Client is a 64 year old recent widowed mother who resided in North
Texas. After struggling to cope with the loss of her husband she
decided to move to The Woodlands to be closer to her daughter. She was
able to locate affordable housing, but needed to pay a utility
deposit. The P&J program was able to assist with $150 towards her
electric deposit. She has successfully moved in and now has an
emotional support system to help her move forward thanks to the P & J
program

A couple moved to Texas from Nevada about a year ago. Due to
undisclosed reasons they found themselves to be homeless and are
staying at the Salvation Army. She works for temp agency and it has
been hard for them to come up with funds to pay a deposit for an
apartment. They have been approved for a place in Conroe and have been
able to receive food stamps as well. Thanks to the Peace and Justice
Network they were able to get their deposit paid and will be moving
into their new home next week.

Client, a 41 year old mother of three, has been staying in a hotel
with her children for a couple of months now. They had to flee their
home in Dallas due to her eldest child being abused and stalked. She
has been staying in a hotel here in The Woodlands in order to enroll
her children in Conroe ISD. She is working with a homeless liaison and
has been approved for section 8 housing at a private rental
home. Thanks to the Peace and Justice Network she was able to get her
deposit paid and will be able to provide a more stable and permanent
place for her family to call home.

A 62 year old male, has been living in Livingston with his
sister. He has a disability. She is on housing and he technically was
not supposed to be staying with her. He has recently been approved for
an apartment at Tamarac Pines and thanks to the Peace and Justice
Network has been able to have his deposit paid and a place he can call
his own.

Client, 43, has resided at an area apartment complex for just over
2 years with little to no problems in regards to handling her Entergy
bill. Two months ago she fell behind on a payment due to an unforeseen
expense (one that she preferred not to disclose) and had her power
turned off for a few days until she could manifest the funds to pay
the overdue bill. As a result, Entergy added an additional $160.00
charge to her account for the month of October in the form of a
deposit in the event that another disconnection happen in the future.

Client is a mother of 4 daughters and 1 granddaughter who sought
shelter at the Women’s Center from a domestic violence
situation. Client had been living in the shelter for one month. She
was finally able to find affordable housing with the Huntsville
Housing Authority for the family. The P & J fund was able to help with
$200 towards rent deposit. Client was appreciate of any help we could
provide.

Due to her and her husband both recently encountering some health
issues, client, 66, has moved to Conroe, so that they can be closer
to their daughter. With their daughter’s assistance, the couple has
located a unit at an area apartment. The couple received $200 towards
the deposit necessary to have electricity at their new place of
residence.

Client, 46, had incurred two disconnect notices despite being with
the company for 5+ years. Her account showed no actual disconnections,
yet due to the disconnect notices that she received in such a short
amount of time (both this year), Entergy has added an additional $280
deposit charge to her account due to the close calls that she has
experienced. Thanks to P&J she was assisted with the funds necessary
to pay for the deposit charge.

September 2019 Report

Client came to Interfaith of The Woodlands seeking assistance with her electric utility deposit. Client shared after her Father passed, her brother evicted her and her six year old from his home. Client fought case and Judge ruled in her favor. Client was able to move back into her home in June and had to pay a deposit to reconnect her utility service. Client shared that her brother gutted the home and sold home appliances, including A/C unit. In an effort to make the home livable for her and her and her son, client purchased materials in excess of $1000. for home repairs to the flooring and a window A/C units. With the help of the Peace and Justice program, family was able to pay deposit for service.

Client came to Interfaith of The Woodlands seeking assistance with hisrental deposit. Client and his wife welcomed a baby girl in May. Family has been residing with wife’s cousin. Family is primarily living out of their car and traveling with all of their belongings. Family was past victims of Hurricane Harvey. Client has worked contract jobs trying to make ends meet. Family has receive assistance from local agency with first month’s rent and needed help paying the deposit to secure home. With the help of the Peace and Justice program, family will be able to pay deposit fee and move into their new home.

Client came to Interfaith of The Woodlands seeking assistance with her rental deposit. Client shared she is relocating from Corpus Christi, due to a domestic violence situation. Client has family in the area that is assisting her. Client has established employment and is working part-time. She is also in the process of applying for disability. With the help of the Peace and Justice program, client will be able to pay deposit fee allowing her to move into her new home and begin a fresh start.

Client is an 82 year old grandfather here in The Woodlands. He has been a customer with Entergy for 40+ years and had to move into an apartment after losing his wife recently. Due to the fact that his payment dates had to be extended, because of SSI checks coming in late, Entergy would not waive the deposit fee. They calculated a $540 deposit based on previous renter’s bills and he was unable to afford it. He was about to have his lights turned off when his granddaughter noticed and got in touch with Interfaith to see if we could help. Texas Summer is not the time to have your A/C shut off. Thanks to the Peace and Justice Network Interfaith was able to pay his electric deposit and keep his electricity on.

Client is a 65-year old woman who lives on a fixed income and has struggled to sustain affordable housing due to rising rent prices. Client was able to secure affordable housing on an RV park where she will be able to live within her means. The Peace and Justice program was able to assist with $100 towards her rent deposit and inevitably help this client achieve self-sufficiency.

Client is a 56 year old woman who is a recent survivor from domestic violence. She moved here from Louisiana to begin a new life and sought shelter at the Montgomery County Women’s Center. After months of diligently working with her case manager she was able to secure employment and housing. She was accepted into the very limited housing program the MCWC offers, but needed assistance with the deposit. The P & J program was able to assist with $350 towards her deposit. Client was very grateful for the assistance and happy to start a new chapter in her life.

July 2019 Report

*J* is a grandma who recently moved here from South Carolina to be close to her 6 grand kids. She has a disability and has a lot of medical need. Her daughter helped her to find an apartment in Conroe so she can be close to them and also close to “exceptional medical facilities”. She is happy and comfortable now and says she thanks god every day for her blessings. Thanks to the Peace and Justice network *J* was able to have her electric deposit paid and her lights will stay on.

67 year old woman moving into two bedroom house so that needed care giver can live in with her. As this client only receives Social Security retirement benefits she could not afford the deposit on her own. Very thankful for the financial assistance that will allow her to live in her own place!

A married couple with a young son seeking deposit assistance after a long period of being homeless. Client reports living in his car with his family after having legal issues. Client is currently working and very excited to be moving into a home after such a long time of living in a car. Client expressed immense gratitude towards the assistance that he received today. Client even mentioned giving back to the community after he gets on his feet.

Client came to Interfaith of The Woodlands seeking assistance with his electric deposit. Client lost his employment and his family relocated to another home. Client changed electric providers and was required to pay a large deposit. With the help of the Peace and Justice program, client will be able to pay electric deposit for he and his family.

Client is a single female that has been living in the Women’s Shelter due to an abusive domestic situation. She is very excited to be moving into her new apartment where she will feel safe.

Single mother escaping a domestic violence situation had been living at the Montgomery County Women’s Shelter. An apartment became available in their transitional housing and client needed help with the rental deposit. Client extremely thankful for the assistance as she can “start fresh!”

June 2019 Report

Interfaith of The Woodlands was able to assist a family to move into their home after living for several years in a small apartment. They are a family of six and had struggled to come up with deposit money for a home. Thanks to the Peace & Justice “Fill The Gap” Program, we were able to help the family live in a bigger home. They were extremely happy and grateful for such a wonderful program!

Client is an Army veteran who moved out of state to further her career. After a year of being out state her the client’s daughter lost custody of her 2 kids who lived in Texas. This client decided to take full custody of her grandkids and care for them so they wouldn’t end up in the foster care system. Unfortunately she had to move back to Texas and begin to pay for deposits for gas, water, and daycare. The P & J program was able to help with $440 towards her electric deposit ultimately helping her have a successful move.

*G* has been a client at Interfaith for seven years. She has been living at Holly Creek and has had her apartment broken into multiple times, an electrical fire, and fines for trying to solve the problem of her porch flooding and causing her daughter’s bike to rust. Her complex told her they would not renew due to the amount of complaints and safety concerns. She has found a place in Montgomery, where she has always wanted to live, and thanks to the Peace and Justice Fill the Gap Program she was able to get her deposit paid and will be moving into a new place with her two kids in June.

Interfaith of The Woodlands was able to help their family with their electric deposit due to the P&J “Fill The Gap” Program. The family recently moved into a new home and due to a high rent deposit they could not afford the electric deposit. Once Interfaith informed them about the program, they were extremely thankful to be a part of such a wonderful community!

*K* is a 65 year old client who lives with her husband. He has a disability but has not been approved for RSDI yet, and has recently lost his job. While he was working they were able to pay their bills and costs of living but now with only her limited social security income they have been struggling. They were unable to pay their electric bill and their electricity was turned off. Thanks to the Fill the Gap program they were able to pay a new deposit and get their electricity turned back on.

*G* is a single mother of two teenagers. She has been struggling to make ends meet, making under $1500 a month to support her family of three. She has recently moved into a new home and did not have the money to pay an electric deposit and has been without power for a week. Thanks to the fill the gap fund she was able to have her deposit paid and get her electricity turned on.

May 2019 Report

Family of four had been living in Timber Lakes/Timber Ridge where it has flooded twice in the last few years. Client stated that landlord is now selling the home and informed the client they had to leave within 2 weeks. Client found affordable housing but needed assistance with rent deposit. Client was very appreciative!

*R* is a 62 year old woman who had been staying at a women’s shelter in Conroe since the beginning of January. She had lost everything after she decided to leave an abusive relationship. She was able to secure employment after the first month at the women’s shelter and also able to locate an apartment in Conroe. Due to the P&J deposit assistance program she was able to successfully transition out of the shelter and into her own apartment.

*L* came to Interfaith of The Woodlands seeking for assistance with her electric deposit in order to move into her new apartment. She had mentioned that the only way the apartment agency could provide a copy of her lease would be when her electric deposit was paid. Unfortunately, she did not have enough to pay both her rent and electric deposit. Thanks to the Peace and Justice “Fill The Gap” program, she was able to move into her new apartment with her children. She was utterly grateful for living in such a wonderful community!

Client came to Interfaith of The Woodlands seeking assistance with her rental deposit. Client is a single Mother of a son who is in high school. He has been a varsity
football player. Last year, he suffered an injury during a football game. Rushed to the hospital with life threatening injuries, he underwent multiple surgical procedures. Client lost her employment during her son’s treatment. Family does not have medical coverage. Financial strain resulted in family being evicted and homeless for a period of time. With the help of the Peace and Justice program, family will be able to pay the rental deposit to secure a home

*S* has been going through a difficult situation, since she recently moved down from another state with her six children. She came to Interfaith of The Woodlands seeking for any assistance. Interfaith was able to help her in several ways, but thanks to the P&J “Fill The Gap” Program, she had her electric deposit paid and avoided disconnection. Sandy is very grateful to have moved into such a wonderful community.

Interfaith of The Woodlands was able to assist a family to move into a house after living for several years in a small apartment. They are a family of six and had struggled to come up with deposit money for the house Thanks to the Peace & Justice “Fill The Gap” Program, we were able to help the family live in a bigger home. They were extremely happy and grateful for such a wonderful program!

February 2019 Report

63 single woman fled a domestic violence situation and needed assistance with rent deposit. Client was unemployed but recently found a job and will be receiving pay in a few weeks. Client was very appreciative of the assistance!

*J*, a 32 year old mother of 4 children was living with family members and unfortunately her children were placed in foster due to living in unsafe conditions. Client had to search for affordable housing for herself and her children and luckily found an apartment complex in Conroe, TX. Due to the P&J fund, we were able to assist client with $200 towards her rent deposit. She will now be able to provide a safe home for herself and her children.

*D* came to Interfaith of The Woodlands seeking for deposit assistance. She is a single young mother trying to become independent and move out of her parents’ house. Thanks to the Peace and Justice “Fill The Gap Program,” she is able to finally move into a stable home to raise her own daughter. She was extremely grateful that Interfaith offered this kind of program in the community.

*J* reached out to Interfaith of The Woodlands needing assistance with his electric deposit. He is currently going through a rough time due to having vehicle problems and losing his job. He called his electric company and they referred him to us for help with the deposit on this utility bill. Thanks to the Peace and Justice “Fill The Gap Program,” we were able to assist with his deposit and avoid disconnection for him and his daughters. He was extremely grateful and inspired to create a non-profit organization of his own.

Client came to Interfaith of The Woodlands seeking assistance with her rental deposit. Client shared that she moved to area approximately four years ago to help care for her Mother who suffers with dementia and mental health disorders. Client’s mother’s symptoms have worsened over the years and she has become physically and verbally aggressive towards client. Client no longer feels safe in current living conditions. Client is going thru her own medical treatment and has pending back surgery this month. Client was approved for HUD housing assistance. Client was able to find an apartment within same apartment complex as her Mother so she can remain close to her. She was very thankful for this assistance and so happy that she can still be close to her Mother.

Client came to Interfaith of The Woodlands seeking assistance with her electric utility deposit. Client and her two children had to relocate after their home burnt down, due to an electrical issue. Client shared her home was less than ten years old and had a history of electrical problems. Family lost everything, but thankfully, no one was injured. Thanks to the Peace and Justice program, family will be able to pay the deposit on their utility service.

We were able to help an elderly client with health problems and who stated that she needed assistance with electric deposit. She stated the home she is having to move into was her mother’s home, but her mother passed away and she is the only living relative who is willing to take care of the home. A deposit was required to add her name to the current electric service at that address.

We were able to help a single mom with a utility deposit as the client’s utility bill was under husband’s name for 16 years, but he passed away. She needed to switch it to her name and that unfortunately came with a $600 deposit. She lives in home with 19 yr. old son. Client has never received financial assistance from us before.

We were able to assist a mother and adult daughter with a rent deposit. They had been evicted from a family members home as they both were unemployed. Each report that they have found jobs and are able to support themselves on their own. Both expressed gratitude for this assistance.

Interfaith of The Woodlands was able to assist a single mother with her electric deposit thanks to the Peace and Justice “Fill The Gap” Program. She had a recent separation of household and had to move into her own apartment. Due to her the high expenses from moving and having to start over, she was in desperate need for the assistance. She was extremely grateful and stated that “in the near future wanted to give back to the community.”

Client came to Interfaith of The Woodlands seeking assistance with her apartment deposit. Client had recently left her husband of 29 years, due to domestic violence. Client shared due to hardships, her husband began drinking in the last few years of their marriage and became physically abusive towards her. Client and her husband tried counseling thru their church, but she ultimately had to leave the abusive situation. Client is actively involved in her church with volunteering and is perusing her Master’s degree in Bible Studies. Client is participating in a Transitional Supportive Housing Program thru the Women’s Center.

Thanks to the Peace and Justice program, she will be able to pay the deposit on her new apartment and begin a fresh start.

January 2019 Report

*D* is a retired teacher who moved to this area looking for work. He is 65 years old and has recently beat cancer. When David came in to Interfaith he informed us that he has been living and sleeping in his car at a highway rest stop. He has found part time work and gotten approved for section 8 housing. Thanks to the Fill the Gap fund, David was able to receive full assistance for his deposit and will be moving into his new place in seven days. Interfaith was also able to set him up with somewhere to stay temporarily until his move in date.

*T* is a 57 year old grandmother who is has joint custody of her 9 year old grand-daughter. They have been living with T’s sister while searching for affordable housing. She has found an apartment and thanks to the Fill the Gap fund was able to receive full assistance with her rent deposit. Terresa and her grand-daughter move into their new home in four days.

We were able to assist a mother of six children who had recently separated from her husband. Unfortunately, her husband abandoned her, and left her with debt on medical bills. She was very stressed and devastated to have to go through this situation. Thanks to the “Fill The Gap Program,” we were able to assist with her rent deposit. She was very thankful that the Peace and Justice offers such a wonderful program to the community.

We were able to help a single mother with a utility deposit. She recently moved to the area after a separation of her household and after securing employment able to move into a place of her own. Extremely grateful for the assistance as she and her daughters adjust to their new lives in Texas.

*M* moved to more affordable housing with her disabled 14-year-old daughter this summer. Because she could not afford to pay the deposit in full at that time, she had to establish a pay as you go account for her electricity. The month to month billing regularly caused an interruption in services that interfered with her daughter’s medical care. Thus, she needed assistance with a deposit so that she could switch to a regular monthly billing cycle. Macy and her daughter were appreciative of the assistance.

*M*, a single mother, came to Interfaith of The Woodlands seeking assistance with her rent deposit. Her only income was her disability check, and she could not afford to pay a large amount to move into a new home. She and her daughter were staying with family and friends until they were able to live on her own. Thanks to Fill the Gap, she was able to move into a mobile home and have a safe environment for her family.

*Mable had moved to more affrdable housing with her disabled 14-year-old
daughter this past summer. She could not afford to pay the electricity deposit
in full at that time, so she had to establish a pay-as-you-go account for her
electricity. Being on a month-to-month billing regularly caused interrupton in
services which then interfered with her daughter’s medical care. With deposit
money from Fill the Gap, she could switch to a regular monthly billing cycle.
Mable was very appreciative of the assistance.

*Janice was a single mother who sought help with her rent deposit. Her only
income was a disability check, and she could not afford to pay a large amount to
move into a new home. She and her daughter were staying with family or
friends until she was able to live on her own. Thanks to Fill the Gap, she was
able to move into a mobile home and keep a safe environment for her family