A letter from our Program Facilitator, Anjanette Love
I am Anjanette Love the Program Facilitator at GFW. In my role, I make sure that the day-to-day services and activities are in place. I connect with community organizations to bring them in and present their services to our guests. I manage our Next Step Case Management team, and I also meet with our guests for Case Management sessions.
As you can see, I have a pretty hectic schedule, but I would have to say staying connected with our guests is one of the best parts of my job. I’m able to listen to their stories and get a better understanding of why they are in whatever situation they are in, and what made them feel the need to reach out to GFW for assistance.
I have heard stories that sent my emotions from tears to anger to laughter, all within one conversation.
Our guests come to us because they are at their last stretch of hope. They need GFW’s support to encourage them, to get them on the right track.
The ladies we work with aren’t in these situations because they want to be. No one ever wants to be without a home, sleeping on the streets, not knowing where their next meal is coming from. Our guests come to us because they are at their last stretch of hope. They need GFW’s support to encourage them, to get them on the right track.
Most of our guests are above the age of 55. They are not all drug addicts or alcoholics. That is a very small percentage of our guests. They haven’t been diagnosed as schizophrenic or mentally disturbed. They were once lawyers, school teachers, community leaders, bank tellers, and social workers. These are women who have come upon bad financial misfortunes and bad relationships with partners, friends, or family members who abused them or took advantage of their kindness.
We’ve had guests sincerely thank us with tears in their eyes for food after going several weeks without a warm home-cooked meal. Some have even gone 4 or more days without taking a shower, and wearing clean clothes. Can you imagine as a female living life like that? Being turned away from a public restroom because you have several bags in your hand. Being told you can’t stay in a motel room because your clothes are torn and tattered.
We help them make their way through these obstacles. Our program helps them feel like there is hope. There is a way out.
How many of us supposedly “normal” people can say we are secure in our jobs and in our homes? We have several guests who have no income. Without an income, how does anyone think they can get housing? The California state minimum wage is $16.90. If you are 55 years old, you can’t apply for Social Security for another 11 years (for now). Working full-time (30 – 40 hours weekly) at $16.90 an hour is ridiculous! What can you get for under $2,400 a month and still have enough for the basic necessities like food & electricity? That is what our guests face, which is very discouraging, and not enough to motivate them to even look for employment.
The issues our guests face don’t go away just because they come to GFW. We help them make their way through these obstacles. Our program helps them feel like there is hope. There is a way out. They can take a shower, get some clean clothes, eat a good meal, and breathe for a few moments. When they meet with our Case Management team, we have a conversation and really listen to them. We understand what their needs are and point them in the right direction for success.
Anything positive our guests have accomplished is another step towards their goal of survival.
No, every guest does not have a happy ending. Some have moved away, some remain homeless for several years, and some, unfortunately, have passed away. However, there are success stories in those who have not only accomplished obtaining housing, but some have obtained mental health care, physical health care, employment, or just felt good about themselves after a line dancing class or decorating the dining hall Christmas tree during the holidays. Anything positive our guests have accomplished is another step towards their goal of survival.
How Can You be a Helping Hand?
Looking to be a helper like Anjanette? There are many ways you can get involved at GFW and in the Monterey County Community to support your favorite nonprofits and their staff. You can support GFW and our guests by:
- Supporting local efforts to build more affordable housing
- Supporting local homelessness prevention efforts like rental assistance and financial education programs
- Volunteering your time and talents to local homeless service providers
- Donating clothing or personal care items, or making a monetary contribution to your local homeless service providers
- Becoming an ambassador by telling everyone you know about your favorite non-profit and what we are doing to help!
If you are ready to be part of the solution, you can find ways to get involved at GFW on our website, or contact us at info@gatheringforwomen.org.
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