At 62, Samantha was at a crossroads when she came to Jewish Family Service of Metrowest (JFS) last November. She was unemployed, not receiving unemployment benefits, and struggling to pay rent. Her situation was made even more dire by her inability to pay her Verizon bill, which left her without access to a phone or internet—vital tools for her job search. To add to her challenges, Samantha was the sole caregiver for her disabled 22-year-old daughter.
Samantha had once received an inheritance, but those funds were depleted by the time Samantha realized that she needed help. A family member had been helping her financially, but a change in circumstances meant they could no longer provide this support. Samantha consequently struggled to pay many of her bills, including car payments. Her car was then repossessed, making an already tough situation even harder.
Thankfully, Samantha had a friend step in and referred her to the Family Assistance Network (FAN) Program at JFS. With JFS’ network of collaborative partners, Samantha was going to be able to get the assistance she needed. Her case manager, Abrielle Salloway, worked on a detailed plan to offer financial assistance and mobilize resources to help her move forward. This included comprehensive budgeting work with Samantha, with specific goals to help her better manage her finances. Additionally, through a partnership with Jewish Vocational Service (JVS), Samantha was able to work with a financial coach, who helped Samantha develop a budget, manage her debt, and create a plan to use her resources more wisely.
But Samantha’s needs went beyond financial coaching—she needed immediate financial support. Abrielle coordinated financial assistance from both JFS and another partner agency, Yad Chessed. Yad Chessed specializes in assisting individuals in financial crises, and together with JFS, they provided Samantha with critical aid. This collaboration helped cover her rent and bills, and JFS worked to set up SNAP benefits to ease her grocery expenses. Yad Chessed even provided Samantha with a free laptop, allowing her to continue her job search—an invaluable tool as she worked to regain stability.
Job searching, however, was not easy for Samantha. She needed the ongoing coaching from JVS Career Navigator, Dale Norman, to guide her through the process. Dale helped Samantha with all aspects of her job search, including strategies to stay organized and focused during interviews. With Dale’s guidance, Samantha gained the confidence to improve her interview skills and move forward in her search.
Unfortunately, Samantha’s housing situation became more complicated when her landlord needed her apartment for personal use; she was now facing eviction. As a result of persistent efforts from her dedicated JFS team, the Framingham Housing Authority offered her a beautiful, newly renovated one-bedroom apartment for her and her daughter. Her case manager, Abrielle, assisted Samantha through every aspect of the housing search and move process, including payment for the cost of her move. She has now settled into her new home, which is both comfortable and affordable.
Through it all, JFS has been there for Samantha—helping with referrals, completing applications, and guiding her through the financial assistance process. While her journey is ongoing, Samantha’s resilience, combined with the unwavering support of JFS and collaborative partners such as JVS and Yad Chessed, will likely guide Samantha towards a more stable future.
JFS’ mission is to help people like Samantha regain stability and independence. Every day, we are working to ensure that no one in our community faces these battles alone. Your support makes it possible for us to continue providing the resources, connections, and care that change lives.
How You Can Help:
Donate today to help JFS continue supporting individuals in financial crisis.
Volunteer your time and skills to make a direct impact on those in need.
Refer someone to JFS if they are struggling—whether it’s financial assistance, job search support, or housing guidance, we are here to help.
Together, we can make a difference!