Life can come at you fast and bring the unexpected.
It’s something Amino A. of Kansas City, Mo. knows first-hand. Last year, her husband could no longer keep his trucking business afloat and has been struggling to find consistent, full-time work ever since. With a large family that includes seven school-age children.
“It’s been very difficult,” Amino shared. “I was able to get some assistance through food stamps. But with only my income to get by, trying to keep up with the rent and all of our other expenses was overwhelming.”
The family had just moved into an apartment and was still paying off the security deposit, which was bundled with their monthly rent.
“I couldn’t keep up with those extra fees anymore,” Amino shared. “I couldn’t sleep, worrying we could lose our home.”
That’s where United Way of Greater Kansas City came in to provide pivotal support. With support from the state of Missouri, United Ways of Missouri launched the United to Help Our Neighbors (UHONS) initiative earlier this year, aiding more than 1,000 low-income families like Amino’s with rent, utilities, car repairs, and childcare—empowering them to economic stability.
“I’m very appreciative honestly. The amount we were given is a whole paycheck,” said Amino. “I’m speechless. Thank you so much.”
Her neighbor Saundra G. was facing challenges of her own. The single mother and healthcare worker was diagnosed with stage three uterine cancer. She also deals with mental health issues and a thyroid condition, which only got worse following her cancer diagnosis.
“I’ve never been in a situation where I had to lean on people” Saundra said. “I have all this health stuff to take care of, a child to take care of, and I was so sick I couldn’t keep up my hours at work. So bills were just adding to the stress.”
Learning the UHONS program could provide some much needed relief to get her rent and utilities caught up, felt like a miracle.
“It felt like the world was a better place for a second. I can get restored and take it from here,” she said.
This holiday season, Saundra is grateful to be cancer free. She’s getting back to the work she loves helping others and finding healthy rhythms for her life.
“Even on the strongest person, going through cancer and severe depression, it wears and tears on you,” Saundra said. “So to have folks in the community like United Way here to help and assist, I think that’s one of God’s tools to help his people—to know you’re going to get through and be okay.”
You can help United Way continue to serve United Way through meaningful real-time solutions like this in the New Year by making a gift to support our work. Give today to help showcase the power of our community to make a difference.