Stephanie F. and her family feel like they’re trapped in an unrelenting cycle.
“It feels like we’re in a constant struggle,” she said. “There’s not enough money coming in, to really budget. I mean, it goes out as fast as it comes in. So, we’re just trying to keep a roof over our heads, keep the lights on, and keep everybody fed.”
Life has continually thrown one hardship after another their way, leaving them to pick up the pieces over and over.
“My husband, Carl, lost his job in November,” Stephanie shared. “He was the breadwinner for our household. And that just kind of turned everything on its head.”
In the family of six, one of Stephanie and Carl’s children has a variety of special needs and has faced some serious health challenges in the past year.
“She’s had a lot of struggles, health wise and with her mental health,” said Stephanie. “So, I haven’t been able to work as much as I used to while I’ve been trying to get her the services that she needs. It’s just been a lot to handle.”
The mounting problems pushed the family into a free fall of financial instability.
“We were behind with utilities and car payment. It got to be really stressful,” Stephanie said.
Desperate for some kind of assistance, Stephanie reached out to her daughter’s medical providers at United Way Impact 100 partner Children’s Mercy Hospitals & Clinics. A social worker there connected her with another United Way Impact 100 partner, Metro Lutheran Ministries (MLM), for help.
“They (MLM) were able to help us with our electric bill and our water bill, which was a huge relief,” Stephanie said. “And we were just having a hard time keeping food in the house for six people, three of whom are teenagers. We’ve used drive-thru food pantries a couple times. But it seems like there’s always something that stops us from getting ahead.”
Metro Lutheran Ministries is now working with the family through United Way’s Family Empowerment Initiative (FEI). It’s powered by The Siemer Institute for Family Stability, which United Way is proud to partner with locally. Currently, there are six United Way partner agencies, including MLM, involved in providing services through this initiative.
“It does give you hope that you’re just not drowning, circling the drain,” said Stephanie. “So knowing that there’s resources out there, where before it didn’t feel like it.”
The goal of FEI is to keep children stabilized in their school environment. Children with families who have a history of housing instability have a higher risk of adverse outcomes in their social-emotional and physical health, as well as their academic performance. Case workers pair with families to identify their needs and come up with a plan to keep them stable and housed.
“Our case worker, Amy, has just been really hands on and has reached out multiple times. When stuff pops up that she thinks would benefit our family, she’ll call or email. Just little things,” said Stephanie. “Having that touchstone, someone to connect with and push you in the right direction, has been really meaningful to us.”
It’s moved the family from feeling completely hopeless to imagining the possibilities for a brighter future.
“Even just a few months ago it was hard to feel hopeful at all,” said Stephanie. “Now, I’m looking at ways I could go back to school and knowing there are paths to open those doors and have options available means the world.”
In 2024, with our partners, United Way’s Family Empowerment Initiative served 1,123 families, including 2,308 school-aged children. More than 93-percent remained in school and avoided a disruptive move.
Stephanie shared, “We just appreciate it from the bottom of our hearts. Just to know the resources have been provided to us, we’re very blessed, very grateful, and finally feeling optimistic for what’s ahead.”