Farzana came to House of Ruth less than 6 months ago facing a daunting set of challenges. She was previously taking residence at another transitional housing program when her grandchildren needed her. The three children of her daughter were entangled in a web of legal issues within the system and had no stable home situation. When she came to House of Ruth her primary goal was crystal clear – to secure custody of her three beloved grandchildren.
At that time, Farzana’s grandchildren were scattered among various family members, creating an emotionally taxing situation for all involved. She knew they needed a stable environment in order to provide them with the care and love they deserved. Her initial hope was to secure a voucher that would cover her grandchildren’s needs, but despite her efforts, this proved to be a challenging task and she turned to House of Ruth staff for support.
Not only was Farzana facing the daunting challenge of reuniting her family but was also enduring the pain that accompanied her 5 year-long battle with breast cancer. After seeking different treatment options she eventually underwent a double mastectomy and is continuing ongoing radiation. Despite her health struggles, Farzana continued with her employment as a hairdresser knowing that she had a responsibility to care for her grandchildren and help ensure they had a bright future. Her dedication to her family and her work did not go unnoticed and staff and residents would regularly check in on her to ensure she was taking time to take care of herself.
Now thanks to her incredible tenacity and hard work alongside House of Ruth’s guidance Farzana has secured the insurance and benefits that she needed in order to reunite with her grandchildren and begin acting as their primary caregiver. She mentioned that stable housing and the presence of her beloved grandchildren have laid the foundation for her to take better care of her health. Thank you for helping to provide the resources and support needed at a critical time in their lives.
Thanks to your support and Farzana’s determination to stay motivated and maintain a positive outlook on the road ahead the future is bright.
*Name has been changed.
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