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Where do you go when you’re alone with two children and your ex-spouse is $40,000 behind in child support payments? Then you are laid off from your job, the unemployment compensation office loses your file and your checks stop. You are working part time and going to school full time to learn new job skills, but when you come home your children need help with their own homework. Then, the final straw: There’s not enough money in your checking account to make this month’s rent – or give your child a gift on her 12th birthday the next day.
First, you cry. Then, if you are Melissa, you pick yourself up and go look for help. Melissa’s first stop was Together We Cope, because she’d heard some good things about the place on Oak Park Avenue. She was a good candidate for assistance, due to her diligence in managing her finances. Early on she had set a budget for her little family and was meeting all of her obligations. As it was for millions of Americans in this economic downturn, job loss became the bump in the road that brought things to a temporary halt. Melissa needed someone to tell her it wasn’t the end of the world, that this was a survivable crisis experienced by most people at some point in their lives. She needed a bridge over the gap that had developed in her finances.
Together We Cope paid one month’s rent for Melissa, gave her groceries and registered her for monthly food assistance, gave her a voucher for free children’s clothing from our resale shop. Then, with great pleasure, agency personnel put together a take-home birthday party for her daughter. They provided a gift, cupcakes, cake mix and frosting, table decorations – everything a girl needs for a great celebration.
 Melissa tried to say “thank you,” but could not get the words out through her tears. Together We Cope staff members patted her on the back and reminded her that all moms need a helping hand now and then.
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