Robert and Maria prided themselves on being “salt of the earth people.” Robert came home in 1991 after serving in the Gulf War and transitioned into ironworking and welding. He soon met Maria who was just starting a career as a teacher. They fell in love and began their lives together. With their daughter Elena, Robert and Maria lived a simple life, experiencing common ups and downs, but stayed stable, humble, and happy.

Years later, Robert began experiencing shortness of breath, heart palpitations, and fatigue. The family’s insurance plan lacked any real preventative care or oversight by medical staff and his employer didn’t offer much paid time off, so he shook it off and continued to work as if nothing was wrong.

Over the next several years, maintaining housing and even basic needs became more difficult due to the pandemic, rising costs, and health issues. Then it happened. Robert collapsed on the job site and was rushed to the hospital where he was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. He began treatment for his condition but needed at-home services, along with many other interventions that the family could not afford. So, Maria took an extended leave from work to take care of him while still caring for their daughter, Elena.

 

With neither of them working, the bills piled up. After exhausting all rental assistance help from community rental programs, Maria reached out to UMOM New Day Centers. The couple was quickly enrolled in UMOM’s Veteran program where they received desperately-needed rental and utility assistance services to keep them from being evicted.

With UMOM’s help, both Robert and Maria are receiving veteran medical services, as well as long-term housing assistance to better meet their family’s needs. They are now living in a remodeled condo and continue to receive rental assistance. Maria has found a new job as a teacher, 7-year-old Elena is thriving, and Robert is improving dramatically with barriers removed and stressors reduced.

Thanks to your donations, Robert, Maria, and Elena are once again stable, humble, and happy.

UMOM is committed to providing services to veteran families like Robert’s struggling with homelessness. Your donations help support a dedicated team to ensure Veterans and their families experiencing homelessness receive immediate housing assistance and individualized supportive services including help with employment, access to healthcare, and permanent housing programs that lead to a life of stability.

You make it possible for UMOM to be here for Veterans like Robert and the many others in our community experiencing homelessness. Now is a great time to take advantage of the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit, which lets you claim a donation to UMOM as a tax credit. This means that you can help Veterans like Robert and others facing homelessness at no cost to you. Tax credits reduce your Arizona state income taxes dollar-for-dollar as a credit (better than a deduction).

Individuals can give up to $400 and couples up to $800. This is one of the most powerful opportunities you’ll ever have to help end family homelessness. Charitable Tax Credit donations for 2022 can be made until April 15, 2023.

Thank you for making a difference in the lives of families in our community.

Note: This is a true story from an actual UMOM client. To protect our clients’ privacy, we have changed the names for this retelling.