First Helping Finds Affordable Housing for Ms. Helen

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02.17.2009 --

Recently, our street outreach team, First Helping, helped yet another client secure affordable, stable housing.

Ms. Helen's husband had recently passed and as a result, her income at age 62 depended upon a single social security check. By the end of the month, after paying all of her expenses, she didn't have enough money for food.

Early one morning, Ms. Helen saw a white DC Central Kitchen First Helping Outreach truck on Minnesota Avenue serving breakfast. She decided to get in line for a sandwich, allowing her to meet Jeff Rustin, a DC Central Kitchen Outreach Specialist.

One month later, First Helping helped Ms. Helen secure senior housing and move into a new apartment that is more safe, peaceful, and affordable for her fixed income. "God sent me an angel," she sighs in relief. "I couldn't do anything anymore and I was scared to go outside. But now I have a lot of peace."

A few weeks later, Miss Helen is already thinking of ways she can flourish in her new apartment building and give back to her community. "I want to start an organization here for senior citizens that have difficulty leaving the building. We can play Bingo...Ms. Helen's Bingo!"