Family Assistance Fund

As a young mother rushes to get her children off to school and herself to the bus stop, she suddenly realizes that the refrigerator is broken. All of her groceries will spoil if she doesn't do something quickly. But if she doesn't leave, she'll miss the bus and be late for work. This is enough to ruin anyone's morning. But when it happens to a family already struggling financially, the effects can escalate into a much larger problem. Grocery money for the week has been spent. The money that is now needed to repair the refrigerator was originally intended to pay the electric bill. The lost wages from missing work will mean there is no money to purchase groceries and pay the rent. It can be overwhelming.

One of the goals of House of Ruth is to help families infected with/affected by HIV/AIDS maintain a certain level of normalcy in a time of great need. Stress, strain and anger can cause a family to disintegrate, just when they need each other the most. The Family Assistance Fund can provide help with unexpected situations, before these problems become crises.

The Family Assistance Fund provides the most fundamental care through:

• Emergency financial assistance
  
  If a family is living on a fixed-income or on a strict budget, any unforeseen expenses can make it impossible to keep up with other financial commitments or necessities. The Family Assistance Fund can help provide groceries, rent, utilities, telephone, transportation, and other necessities that an individual or family cannot afford.



• Extraordinary Assistance at times of unusual stress and loss
  
  Occasionally, while awaiting placement in a nursing home, an individual with HIV/AIDS may need financial assistance with basic needs until that placement is complete. This fund provides for such instances, as well as assistance for extremely sick individuals who may have special medical needs or medical emergencies. This fund also allows House of Ruth to assist with funeral expenses when a parent dies and there are surviving children.

Please Choose a Fund:
Education	Mended-Heart	Medical Assistance
Children	Housing and Building	Family Assistance
Glade House Program