Emergency Financial Aid
Unexpected things happen. A hospital visit, a leaky roof, sudden job loss, death of breadwinner. These are just some of the emergencies that can push a person teetering on the edge of homeless completely over the edge. At Roanoke Area Ministries, we are well aware of the difficulties associated with homelessness and to prevent it we try to bridge the gap when an emergency happens.
Roanoke Area Ministries’ Emergency Financial Aid (EFA) office assists individuals living Roanoke City. The office will accept requests from individuals living outside Roanoke city provided they have a referral from the agency in the area in which they live. Applications and requests for assistance are not accepted by mail or by telephone. The individual applying for assistance must apply in person in the Emergency Financial Aid office. The hours are Monday through Friday, 9am to 11:30am and 1:30pm to 3:00pm.
Kathy Finnegan has worked in the Emergency Financial Aid office for over three years. She says, “Being on the front lines and getting to see the relief on a person’s face when we pay a bill is one of the most rewarding things about working at RAM.”
On a recent day, the EFA office saw a woman in her seventies who had been sick and unable to work for a few months and needed assistance with her rent. The same day they interviewed an eighteen year old having trouble making ends meet on his minimum wage salary. Certainly the unstable economy, real estate decline and higher gas and food prices have all had a negative impact on our community, especially those already living on a tight budget.
RAM is fortunate to partner with The Roanoke Times for The Good Neighbor Fund campaign. The newspaper includes inspirational stories of people RAM has helped, those who feel called to donate and what RAM is doing in other areas of its ministry. The stories are printed each day from Thanksgiving through the New Year. People from all over the region and beyond send in donations that we’ll make last throughout the year.
Our resources are limited too and as a result we strive to ensure the funds are going to people who are truly in a crisis situation. RAM requires documentation such as lease agreements, utility bills, pay stubs, etc. as verification. It takes extra effort but it is essential in identifying those with true needs. RAM has developed a reputation in the community for being careful stewards of our resources. Kathy agrees and says it makes her feel good when people tell her they donate to RAM because they know the money won’t be wasted.
Deanna Garrison also works in the Emergency Financial Aid office. She is struck by the many different stories she hears each day and says, “Sometimes people just need a few minutes to talk to someone.” She hopes the kind word and listening ear she and Kathy offer along with the financial assistance will help turn a person’s situation around.