Annette

Annette is 64 and has been blind her whole life. She worked for 20 years until she was laid off during the pandemic. She lost her benefits, her income, and eventually her home when she couldn’t keep up with her payments. Annette connected with Family Eldercare’s Financial and Housing Stability services while temporarily living in a hotel. Even while diagnosed with breast cancer, Annette worked hard with her case manager and finally transitioned into stable housing. Annette tells us she wants to return to work after she “whips cancer’s butt.” She will not let cancer keep her down and is passionate about helping her visually impaired community.

Your Holiday Giving Drive gift can help us purchase the items Annette wishes for most. She would love to have a sofa bed so her daughter can have a place to sleep when she visits. Annette would also benefit from a Ring doorbell system and gift cards for groceries.

Florence

Florence, age 88, hails from St. Johns Colony just east of Lockhart, Texas. She worked hard all her life as a housekeeper and later in home health. She gets great joy from helping others. After 70 years as a member of her church in St. Johns Colony, she proudly became a member of a local Baptist church in Austin where her son became pastor. We met Florence during the Summer Fan Drive where she received fans and assistance with her utility bill. 

Your support can assist Florence and other people we serve who are currently struggling with high utility bills. Your Holiday Giving Drive donation can help Florence keep up with her utilities and give her peace of mind so she can focus on enjoying her new friends at church.

Geraldine

Geraldine, age 81, is a kind woman who received fans through the Summer Fan Drive and was referred to our Financial and Housing Stability services because she was struggling to afford both utilities and food.  We are still working on trying to lower her household bills so that she will have enough money to afford her basic necessities in the long term.

 Your gift to the Holiday Giving Drive can help Geraldine and others who are struggling with basic needs right now. Your support allows us to provide utility assistance, food support, and continued guidance from the Financial and Housing Stability services team.

Hannah

Hannah, is 54 and lives with a hearing impairment. She loves going to church and being social.  Rachel is enrolled in our Representative Payee services which are available to persons who become unable to manage their finances. Hannah is able to maintain housing and financial stability with our help.  Hannah enjoys fragrant lotions and perfumes, cozy slippers, and  is looking forward to warmer weather!

Your gift to the Holiday Giving Drive can help Hannah get items that would make her more comfortable but that she can’t afford right now: comfy socks, clothing, toiletries, more towels, and to splurge she’d love to have perfume.

Joe

Joe is 70 and they call him the King of Karaoke at the state facility where he lives. Joe loves to sing and play dominoes. His traumatic brain injury made it impossible for him to care for himself, and Family Eldercare became his legal guardian. His guardianship care manager ensures Joe maintains a stable life.

 Your gift to the Holiday Giving Drive supports Joe and others in our Guardianship program. Joe would benefit from enrichment games that involve music. He would also appreciate dominoes and any game that allows him to socialize and move around.

Mary and David

Mary and David are a resilient couple in their 60’s who’ve been through a lot together, including homelessness. Our Service Coordinators helped David apply for jobs, schedule interviews, and apply for benefits to keep them stably housed. His part-time job helps them make ends meet. Both Mary and David are social butterflies who are looking forward to celebrating the holidays.   

Your gift to the Holiday Giving Drive can give peace-of-mind to older Texans struggling financially right now. Your support can be used to help David pay for gas to get to his job, have enough for groceries, and purchase a few needed household items.

Rick

Rick is 53 and is doing his best with what he has. He’s got a grateful heart that centers his life. At the moment, more than 80% of his income goes toward housing. Our Representative Payee services help him maintain his housing and we look for other ways to meet his needs. Rick is looking forward to moving into his own studio apartment soon. Though money is very tight for him and he lives with a disability, Rick never complains and keeps looking forward.

Your donation to the Holiday Giving Drive can help Rick and others we serve who are struggling meeting their basic needs. Rick would appreciate getting new socks, underwear, and household items like towels and dishes for his upcoming move.

Tabitha

Tabitha and Fred moved to Austin last year to consult with a neurosurgeon for Fred’s injury. Unfortunately, the risks involved in having surgery were too high and Fred chose not to go through with it. Fred found himself depleting his savings for his long-term medical care. He and Tabitha were facing homelessness when they were referred to our Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) program. Fred and Tabitha found comfort in one another in their apartment and spent Fred’s last days watching movie classics and listening to classic rock. Tabitha is grieving losing her Fred. But she is not alone. The RRH team is helping her apply for disability benefits now that she developed mobility problems.

Your gift to the Holiday Giving Drive can make such a big impact on someone’s quality of life, especially when they are experiencing a tough time. Your support can help Tabitha get her biggest wish: a washer and dryer in her unit so she doesn’t have to lug everything to the laundromat given her mobility problems.