Throughout this pandemic, many people have been facing unique and unexpected challenges, especially financially. JFCS’s program SOS Pittsburgh has been helping the community through COVID-19 with financial resources and referrals, as well as connecting people to the JFCS Squirrel Hill Food Pantry. Recently, Claire Burbea, Social Worker and Critical Needs Coordinator helped Chris and Vicki through some difficult times.
Chris
Chris Smith is a local hairdresser with a small salon in Point Breeze. Claire, who lives in Point Breeze, has gotten to know Chris over the last few years and has even referred clients to her when they need a haircut and are not able to pay regular price. Chris also regular goes into nursing homes to give free haircuts to the elderly when they aren’t able to leave their residence.
During the season of COVID-19, she has been working hard to keep her loyal customers safe while they are in the salon. Unfortunately, the upkeep of her salon has been difficult with the reduction in hours and customers because of the pandemic. She found herself in need of assistance for her business’s rent and utility bills. Although she did apply for unemployment assistance to help with her finances, Chris didn’t receive this right away. After reaching out to several places without any success, the Small Business Administration sent her to United Way of Southwestern PA, who referred her to JFCS’s program SOS Pittsburgh. Through SOS Pittsburgh, Chris was able to get money to cover her personal rent costs so that she could put more of her own money to help her business and stay open. “I’m so thankful for Claire and SOS Pittsburgh. This was the only help I was able to get,” Chris said.
Vicki
Vicki also reached out to SOS Pittsburgh during this pandemic. Vicki is in her 70s living on fixed income. Her son had been helping her pay for rent but ran into some financial hardships during the pandemic and wasn’t able to support her any longer. Vicki had applied for senior housing in Beaver County but was still waiting for a decision when she got evicted from her home.
Due to medical conditions, she did not feel she was able to stay in the local shelters and chose to live in her car while she waited for housing. Vicki struggles with depression and anxiety, and both of these conditions were worsened by her situation and by her inability to take her medication regularly. For a while, she was able to make her fixed income last but eventually ran out of money and needed gas. In a moment of panic, she called Resolve, who referred her to SOS Pittsburgh and a pantry in Penn Hills for help. She got some food items and snack from the pantry in Penn Hills and contacted SOS Pittsburgh for additional help. SOS Pittsburgh was able to provide her with 3 gas gift cards for $20 each to help tide her over until she was able to get into stable housing. They also gave her some food items that she was able to eat on the go.
“Claire’s kindness made a big difference,” Vicki said. “A lot of older people end up having to do this. Campgrounds around here are expensive… I would spend all day in the parks. Finding a safe place to park my car at night was one of the hardest things. …Claire was the first person that didn’t give me a hard time about living in me car.” Now, Vicki has moved into affordable senior housing in Beaver County and reports that she is sleeping well and doing much better!
SOS Pittsburgh Helps the Community through COVID-19
SOS Pittsburgh serves as a safety net of last resort for individuals and families who otherwise would fall through the cracks of the social service system. It helps those who have exhausted all other options to get back on their feet with one-time financial assistance. Since 2005, SOS Pittsburgh has helped families in crisis with housing, utilities, transportation, medical and other critical issues.
In the past year, SOS Pittsburgh cases and funding assistance have increased dramatically. More than 150 families were helped this past fiscal year (ending June 30) alone. Even in the best of times, there will be people who are struggling with life’s changes and challenges, but with the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the need has grown considerably. People who never thought they would need help are now turning to us for critical aid.
At JFCS, we work tirelessly to provide for those who are experiencing hardship and crises and serve constantly growing numbers of individuals and families who turn to us in their most desperate times of need. In the midst of a troubling economy, our entire staff has worked harder than ever to ensure that a better day is always within reach, for everyone who walks through our door.