Unmet human needs

In 2017, Christal was housed and employed. She saw a doctor for pain management and when the doctor could no longer prescribe the medication, Christal, who relied on the medication to get through the day, made a poor choice and wrote a bad check. She was charged with a felony and served 6 months.

Christal had been pushing forward, trying to change the situation she found herself in. She had interviewed for a job and got it directly following her recent eviction. This new job, at a Westco warehouse in Reno, will pay her $37 an hour and she has been training with them for 2 months. 

She came to St. Marguerite’s October 2nd and met with Niki and Tea. She took ownership of her choices and the consequences. She had already contacted her previous landlord to arrange for payment of what she owed them, as well as had reached out to NV Energy to do the same. Niki said that initiative and ownership is a rare thing in the clients we see at St Marguerite’s. Christa had found a new place to live (her adult daughter had co-signed and her previous landlord had written a recommendation) and needed help with moving in expenses but acknowledged that if she didn’t qualify for our assistance, she could likely manage by living in her car one more month. She qualified through the Helping Hands grant, we also referred her to the Salvation Army for furniture.

Together with Niki they laid out a financial strategy and budget, so that when she got her first paycheck on the 15th, she wouldn’t be impulsive and spend it all on repaying her debts. Niki will call her on that day to walk through her plan.

The team was so excited to accompany Christal. Her determination is inspiring and gratitude was mutual that with the assistance of this grant, Christal could embark on this new phase of her life.