OK~ this is going to sound really terrible but I am so stressed out and I just don't know what to do. I have been out of work for the last 6 weeks because I had a baby. We have been living off of my husbands income and I can officially say we do not have a dime. We have been living in an extended stay hotel since we moved to Vegas cause we were trying to save a deposit down on a rental home. We have been going backwards since we moved out here. His car got ran into and we had to replace it and my car got stolen 2 months ago and never found and we do not have the money to replace it. I don't have any money to pay for an extended stay for next week so as of Saturday I do not have a home. I don't even have $20 to buy my child a can of formula when she runs out. Does anyone have any suggestions for me? I am so stressed I don't know where to start.
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Comments: 76
New motherhood is hard enough without the stress you're under. Been homeless, done that; it sucks but there are ways out...
1. Go to Salvation Army and/or St. Vincent DePaul. Doesn't matter what religion you are if any. The Salvation Army saved my family when we went under and they are a God-send! They will also provide emergency food and clothing. Some chapters will pay for a couple of week's worth of rent. You may have to move to another hotel, but at least you'll have shelter! P.S. leave the cigarettes at home, if you smoke, and there's no booze allowed.
2. Go to the local Social Services. They usually provide emergency food stamps and diapers. Get there before 10 a.m., because most agencies want the early birds; it looks like they're serious. They should have "section 8" housing available on an emergency basis, especially if you have a child. They will pay your first and last month's rent with deposit, and even will help with a percentage of your rent for a year. Get going!
3. Go to any local church and ask for help. Many times you'll literally get money from the pastor. Use it wisely and they may even connect you with a family of means who will "adopt" you.
There are options out there, but you need to get moving! Your baby depends on you! Once you get settled take a breather and do something for you; see if your husband or a friend will watch the baby for a couple of hours so you can have some alone time. Don't feel guilty, every new mother needs this to keep her sanity!
Good luck and PLEASE LET US KNOW HOW YOU ARE DOING!!!!!! I have a big heart and I will lose sleep worrying about you and your family, so let us know as soon as you can!
In addition to food, eligible participants also receive nutrition education and referrals to other community-based agencies and private providers.
For information, call
1-800-8NEVWIC
(1-800-863-8942)
3186 South Maryland Pkway
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Telephone: (702) 731-8000
Fax: (702) 731-8668
You May Also Visit Us At http://www.sunrisehospital.com
47 W. Owens Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89030
Just West of Main Street
on the campus of
The Salvation Army
Phone: (702) 307-4635
Fax: (702) 307-4631
Hours:
Monday through Friday
7:30 am to 4:30 pm
Closed for lunch from Noon to 1:00 pm
Nevada Health Centers, Inc. (NVHC) was founded in 1977 as Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) and currently has 17 clinical sites throughout Nevada. The Las Vegas Outreach Clinic, located in Clark County, first opened its doors to serve the community with quality health care in 2000.
This clinic is the heart of NVHC's Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) Program and is dedicated to providing primary health care for the people of Clark County who do not have a place to call home. This population, which numbers somewhere between 8,000 and 10,000 men, women and children, is especially vulnerable to illness and disease, much of it caused by exposure to the elements, crowded living conditions found in the area's shelters and a lack of ready access to primary and preventative medical care.
Nevada Health Centers WIC
2031 McDaniel St. Suite 120
North Las Vegas, NV 89030
Phone: (702) 220-6096
Fax: (702) 399-3692
Hours:
Monday through Friday
7:30 am - 4:30 pm
Closed for lunch from Noon to 1:00 pm
Thanks again... I will check it all out right away in the morning before my husband goes to work
Ehg Social Service
(702) 228-8004 | 7856 Bluewater Dr Las Vegas, NV
(702) 639-1730 | 800 N Bruce St Las Vegas, NV
(702) 387-5579 | 36780 N Rancho # 107 Las Vegas, NV
(702) 383-0700 | 1511 Las Vegas Blvd N Las Vegas, NV
(702) 382-0721 | 531 N 30th St Las Vegas, NV
(702) 455-4270 | 1600 Pinto Ln Las Vegas, NV
(702) 243-4357 | 222 S Rainbow Blvd Las Vegas, NV
(702) 657-0123 | 47 W Owens Ave North Las Vegas, NV
(702) 455-7913 | Las Vegas, NV
(702) 455-5300 | Las Vegas, NV
(702) 455-7200 | 333 N Rancho Dr Ste 200 Las Vegas, NV
(702) 649-5995 | 3435 Jaffa Dr North Las Vegas, NV
(702) 649-0998 | 1849 Civic Center Dr North Las Vegas, NV
(702) 454-9144 | 4080 Paradise Rd Las Vegas, NV 89169
(702) 646-7763 | 3395 S Jones Blvd # 102 Las Vegas, NV
(702) 455-2079 | 701 N Pecos Rd Las Vegas, NV
(702) 366-1640 | Las Vegas, NV
(702) 486-7566 | Las Vegas, NV
(702) 646-4981 | 2915 W Charleston Blvd # 12 Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas Rescue Mission
(702) 382-1766 | 480 W Bonanza Rd Las Vegas, NV
This one looks really promising, they have emergency shelters and provide meals, clothing, household items and life-skills counseling for those who are in need.
(702) 796-7770 | 953 E Sahara Ave # 201 Las Vegas, NV
WDC owns and maintains several homes and apartments throughout southern Nevada, providing modern, comfortable housing for low-income families and individuals.
(702) 270-0300 | 285 E Warm Springs Rd # 100 Las Vegas, NV
3310 South Nellis Boulevard, Suite #28
Las Vegas, Nevada 89121
(702) 457-0700
(702) 657-8663 | 3025 Carroll St North Las Vegas, NV
(702) 385-3351 | 2065 E Sahara Ave # C Las Vegas, NV
(702) 383-1332 | 4800 S Maryland Pkwy Las Vegas, NV
(702) 369-4357 | 1640 E Flamingo Rd # 100 Las Vegas, NV
Assists families and individuals throughout Southern Nevada to overcome barriers and attain self-sufficiency through direct services, training and referral to community resources.
Leanne did you hear back from the job interview?
I'd try giving them a call, can't hurt!
Good Luck Honey, you have the thoughts and prayers of gather behind you!
Listen to these other people's advice. It kept me alive.
Oh, and I recommend breat-feeding, not only is it cheaper, but it is also better for the baby.
If someone's family is in such dire straits it would seem to me that they'd be doing everything in their power to change the situation instead of spending all day and night posting games and such on the internet and then lamenting about the situation they are in. If that seems harsh, so be it. Sometimes the truth is exactly what one needs to read.
Leanne- There is a lot of help out there. The best help you will find is within yourself. There are groups that are designed exactly for this purpose and you have to do the work to find them. There are also jobs out there for those who want to work. The thing is, you can't bank on one interview. Perhaps a local church group could help you by watching your kids for you so you can apply for as many jobs as you can to get yourself out of this situation and into another one.
Good luck with your situation. I hope you do what you have to in order to help your family.
It sounds like you need all the help you can get. If you need more food, I suggest that you do a google search on dumpster diving. I have not done it myself, but I seriously would if I had to. Although the name sounds crazy, it is actually about how to get a hold of the perfectly good fun and other items that the store throws away for several reasons (exp. dates etc.) You should seriously do a google search, there is so much info out there.
Also, check the local freecycle group. www.freecycle.org, I know it cannot help out right here and now with the money, but sometimes people do give a way perfectly good food and baby formula that they are not going to use. You can also find stuff for your baby, furniture for when you do get the apartment etc. I really do suggest that you check out this site. Just to give you a little inspirations these are some of the things that I have received through our local freecycle/freesource list during the past three months.
- Old Kenmore sewing machine
- CLothes for my toddler
- Clothes and shoes for myself
- Three dressers
- One tall bookshelf
- A toaster
- Toys for my boys including ridons and a pop up tent
As we really came here with nothing, we could not give much away in exchange, but I have given away lots of perfectly good coupons, stuffI got from the side of the road and cleaned up etc. This is a really great site.
Good Luck with everything. I really do understand how it is to have nothing, and to have a baby to take care of. I wish you and your little family all the best....
She is almost in the same boat you are and is currently going without a phone to save money... I will see her Saturday morning, and if you haven't been able to get a car yet... I will ask her for the name of the organization (of course, it could be called something else out there)... I believe it was either through the Salvation Army or Goodwill - HEY!!! There's one no one else has mentioned... Goodwill is everywhere... they are a huge help. Gave my daughter free clothes when she burned out. And small appliances. I think that is even where she got her furniture.
And I think someone else mentioned it... but there are places that offer either cheap or free daycare for people in such circumstances for a limited amount of time, usually through churches.
Good Luck - we are all pulling for you! But as Jody pointed out - it is not going to be easy! You have to work at it, and things could definitely get worse before they get better.
If it comes down to no place to live - you and the children might have to think about a women's shelter. And they would also be a good place to inquire for help - even in the job hunting situation. And you might be able to barter your services watching someone else's kids while they look for work and vice versa!!!
Leanne,
On April 20th you posted telling about your dire situation and asking for advice. You received many responses with lots of good advice and resources to contact.
My question to you is, what have you done to help yourself?
You bemoan the fact that you have only one vehicle and can't afford child care. That puts you two steps up from many of the woman I work with. You have another adult who can share the responsibility for watching the children. If he works days, get a night job. Vegas is a 24 hour town, there are many jobs on swing and graveyard shifts. By working separate shifts, you can also share the one vehicle you have.
In another post you mentioned you husband commutes 35 miles a day. Why not move closer to his work? You are in a weekly motel so you should not have to worry about breaking a lease and if you move to another weekly there should be no deposits. Seems your only expense would be the cost of driving there, which your husband is already doing.
There is assistance available through the county and the state such as food stamps, welfare cash and medical, and day care. Even if you don't qualify for their programs, they can direct you to other programs that you might qualify for.
Help is available, but remember it is only help. You need to take an active role in getting your family out of this situation. Nobody is going to come in and take over and fix it for you. But if you show you are making an effort to better your lives, others will help you.
************************
Before you all reach for your keyboards, let me tell you where I am coming from. I am a single parent who raised three kids in Las Vegas. Once upon a time I was on welfare and kept waiting for someone to fix all my problems and make everything better. I got used to getting that unemployment check and that welfare money and all those lovely food stamps while I watched my soaps.
But one day I woke up, pulled my head outta my butt, and realized this was not what I wanted for my kids. I went out and got a job, went back to school and worked my way up to being able to support my family on my own. It wasn't easy, but it can be done.
Today I work as a caseworker for the welfare department. I interview and determine eligibility for the homeless, the indigent, the mentally ill, single parents and even intact 2 parent families. I have to determine what barriers they face to being self supporting and refer them to resources to help them overcome these barriers. Sometimes I have to be rather blunt, say things to snap them out of their "victim speak" and their "pity parties." Sometimes they just need a wakeup call. The help is out there, but they have to ask for it.
There are many programs available, each targeted at a different segment of society. So they may have to call 5 different housing programs before they find one they are eligible for and has openings/funding to help them. They may have to go on a waiting list for day while single, working parents get service before them. They may have to sell resources (like the second vehicle) or tap into retirement accounts and live on that for a while before they meet our eligibility requirements.
Like I said, it's not easy, but then no one said being a parent would be easy.