Helping Hands Stories

Angelica was connected to Safe Horizon’s Crime Victim Assistance Program after she was assaulted by the father of her children. As a result of her injuries, Angelica couldn’t work for four weeks. Angelica fell behind on rent and was at risk of facing housing court. Helping Hands supported this mother of three through a $1,400 grant which covered one month's rent, and necessities such as clothing and toiletries for her children. Angelica recently returned to work and will be able to pay for her family expenses moving forward.  

Mom and her two daughters were previously living in a homeless shelter with her abusive partner. Later they separated and he left the shelter. However, one day when Mom was out with her daughters her ex-partner came to the shelter and destroyed the furniture in their room. Given the violence, the shelter was then able to place mom in her own apartment, but they didn't have any furniture. Mom was able to buy a bed with the little savings she had and a $2,203 Helping Hands grant helped her purchase additional items. From Mom: “I am writing to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible support I received in my time of need. As a single mother of two, the journey to rebuild our lives after leaving the shelter has been challenging, but your assistance has been a blessing to our lives. My daughters have seen me struggle as I had battled my depression. But acts like this have helped me to be stronger and better for my daughters. Now we have our own apartment, and thanks to you, we were able to receive the furniture we desperately needed. The dining table and the cozy couches have transformed our space into a warm and welcoming home. My daughter now has a desk to do her homework, since they started in a new school, they were able to wear their new uniform as well. Your generosity has not only provided us with physical items but has also restored our sense of dignity and hope."

Kayci, a single mother of four and the sole source of income for her household, has worked as an esthetician for seven years. Kayci relies heavily on her vehicle for transportation to the homes of her clients, so when she experienced car trouble, she had no choice but to pay to get the vehicle back on the road. The auto repairs cost $4,850, and the unexpected expense caused her to fall behind on her rent and face the threat of eviction. Thanks to a Gerstner Helping Hands grant in the amount of $3,000 (packaged with $1,000 from another foundation source), Kayci's past due rent was eliminated. The assistance ensured the family remained stably housed as she recovered from the financial setback. While in the program, Kayci received case management, credit repair guidance, and referrals to food pantries which significantly reduced her monthly grocery bill. Today, Kayci reports that she and her children are not just surviving, but thriving, and eagerly anticipating a brighter future.

Stefany is a senior nursing major at Hostos Community College, where she is diligently maintaining a 3.2 GPA. As a single mother of two recently impacted by domestic violence, she faces challenges in managing her monthly expenses. She has been unable to work due to the demands of the nursing program, relying on Human Resources Administration (HRA) government benefits and child support to cover her costs. However, the rising cost of living has made it difficult for her to make ends meet. She has struggled to keep up with the cost of her rent and therapy sessions that are vital for her recovery. This financial pressure has caused her significant stress, negatively impacting her ability to focus on her studies. 

Thanks to the Gerstner Helping Hands Grant of $2,401.25, Stefany was able to pay for her therapy sessions and her rent, avoiding the possibility of eviction and allowing her to concentrate on completing her spring 2025 semester. 

Stefany graduated in May 2025 and has already been accepted to continue her education in the nursing program at Lehman College for the fall 2025 semester. She plans to take the New York State exam for her nursing license in July.

Nia, a 34-year-old single mother of one daughter, was fleeing domestic abuse. She was forced to leave her job and spend her savings staying in hotels and short-term rentals while she waited for her abuser to be arrested. She was referred to FamilyAid through the Boston Public Schools homelessness prevention partnership and worked with a case manager to find an affordable apartment. Her savings depleted, Nia's case manager requested a $610 Helping Hands grant to cover the security deposit. One year after receiving assistance, Nia has found new employment, and she and her daughter have been happy in their new home thanks to the aid of a Helping Hands grant.

Latoya is a 72-year-old woman who has lived in her Section 8 apartment for 45 years. She fell behind when her landlord stopped making repairs and, according to their policy, Section 8 stopped paying rent in attempt to force the landlord’s hand.  The repairs were eventually made, although over a period that dragged on for roughly a year – and her Section 8 subsidy was restored, however it did not cover the months when the conditions did not meet the Section 8 standards, leaving a significant balance still owed. However, with her subsidy back in place, Latoya was again able to afford her portion of the rent – and thanks to the assistance of the Gerstner Family Foundation, she can continue her retirement safely and stably in her own home.

Cris, a junior with a 4.0 GPA, is a focused and hard-working student. Cris lost everything and became homeless due to a fire. The Red Cross was able to assist with temporary shelter. The Gerstner emergency grant in the amount of $3,000 was able to assist the student with securing new housing. Student Affairs was able to connect with the property management company to assist with the security deposit and first month's rent. Cris was allowed to move in while the property management company awaited payment from CCNY. Throughout this ordeal, Cris continued to attend classes and his grades did not decline. Cris is currently attending summer classes and is registered for the fall semester.

Manuel is a WHEDco participant who was referred to Helping Hands through their HeartShare program for utility arrears. He was the victim of SNAP benefit skimming, and HRA refused to refund the skimmed benefits. Due to being on a limited income, Manuel prioritized putting food on the table over paying his utility bill and received a shut-off notice. WHEDco case managers assisted Manuel with a one-time Helping Hands grant of $560.24 to cover his utility arrears, and provided education on how to spot and avoid skimming scams in the future.

Raven is a full time graduate social work student who has been unhoused for the past several years. She has been living with various friends and family members and was finally about to stabilize her housing by getting a lease for an apartment. Despite these challenges, she has achieved a strong GPA of 3.7. G is between jobs at the moment and is nervous that she will once again be unhoused due to her inability to pay rent. Her new job starts at the end of the month. Thanks to a Gerstner Helping Hands grant of $1,750 to pay off her rental bill, Raven is able to maintain her housing until she starts a new job and has a consistent form of income. 

Juan is a 24-year-old originally from Puerto Rico who entered the foster care system at a young age. When he moved to the U.S. at 11, he faced the added challenge of learning English while adjusting to a new life. Juan began working as a teenager with the goal of eventually living independently. Although he aspired to save for his future, much of his income went toward supporting the foster family he stayed with longer than expected, as they relied on his financial contributions to stay afloat. About three years ago, he became an Uber driver and took pride in building a stable life for himself. In February 2025, his stability was threatened when he was involved in a serious car accident. The injuries to his right-hand required surgery, leaving him unable to work for 3 months. As someone who relied entirely on his vehicle for income, the accident caused a sudden financial crisis. Without income, Juan fell behind on rent and parking garage fees. Thanks to this grant, Juan received support during this critical time. Funds were allocated to cover three months of unpaid rent and parking garage fees, totaling $766.26. This one-time assistance ensured that he could maintain his housing while recovering from surgery and repairing his vehicle. The grant played a vital role in preserving his stability through a period of uncertainty. It allowed him to focus on healing and returning to work, continuing his journey toward independence and a better future.

Ana is a full-time senior majoring in Communication Studies with a 3.4 GPA. She is also a mother of four. Previously, Ana relied on child support to help cover household expenses; however, she stopped receiving child support payments for several months and later resumed at a reduced amount. This unexpected financial disruption caused her to fall behind on several bills, including her electric and water. Through the support of the Gerstner Grant, Ana received $855.44 to pay off her past-due utility balances. She expressed deep gratitude for the assistance. Since receiving the grant, her child support payments have resumed, and she is on track to graduate in December.

Jessica is a single mom raising a four-year-old son; her son's passed away in an accident last year. She has been applying for jobs while living on survivor benefits. She has been attending grief therapy, attending school, caring for her child and working part time babysitting her neighbors children. She has limited family support and transportation difficulties. Thanks to Gerstner Helping Hands grant of $650 toward rent, she was able to avoid eviction. She also is meeting regularly with a representative from the Center for Student Well Being who provided local resource information, an emergency 31 day pus pass, and food from the Panther Pantry. Jessica is applying for a work study position and is working to complete her degree in Human Services so that she can move forward into a stable career that allows to to give back to others that have experienced similar difficulties. She and her neighbor have come up with a plan of mutual support and day care has been stabilized. Jessica currently holds a GPA of 3.46 and only has three classes left to complete her course of study.

Katrina is a dedicated student who has maintained a 3.85 GPA in the Business Administration program while caring for her grandmother and supporting the household. During the Spring semester, she faced a sudden reduction in hours at her retail job due to the impact of new tariffs on the store’s profits. She began struggling to pay rent, growing worried about her ability to maintain her rent stabilized apartment, and finish her degree. A Gerstner Helping Hands grant of $3,000 covered the two months of rent she owed, bringing her back on track to gear up for her final year of school. Her hours were restored when the tariffs returned to normal, and she is eager to finish her undergraduate degree strong.

Gabriela is a junior majoring in Liberal Arts with a 3.8 GPA. She unexpectedly lost her part-time job and fell behind on her rent payments. Thanks to a $2,000 grant from Helping Hands, she was able to pay the outstanding balance on her rent and avoid eviction. Without the added stress of housing insecurity, she was able to maintain her impressive GPA and make steady progress towards completing her Marketing degree. Gabriela shared, "The Helping Hands grant was a lifeline during a very difficult time. Losing my job and falling behind on rent threatened to derail my entire academic journey. But thanks to this support, I was able to keep a roof over my head and devote my full attention to my studies. I am deeply grateful for this assistance, as it has allowed me to stay on track and move one step closer to achieving my career goals." With her housing crisis averted, Gabriela devoted her energy and resources to securing a competitive summer internship in her field of study, positioning her for success upon graduation.

Tiana, a 34-year-old mother of two, had recently fled her abusive partner and entered AVDA’s emergency shelter. Before her escape, Tiana worked steadily as a dental assistant and managed to keep her household afloat. However, the violence escalated when she attempted to leave, resulting in her losing both housing and employment. After weeks in shelter, Tiana secured a job interview and was offered a full-time position but needed immediate support to pay the security deposit and first month’s rent on a new apartment. With the Helping Hands grant of $3,000, AVDA covered the housing costs and essential furnishings to help her get re-established. Tiana is now working full time, her children are enrolled in school nearby, and she is connected to a long-term therapy provider and a local church community. Her new stability has allowed her to finally feel safe and in control of her future.

Rashaun is a Biology major maintaining a 3.0 GPA. Earlier this year, he experienced a life-altering setback when he was diagnosed with cancer. The diagnosis required immediate medical intervention, including frequent appointments, treatments, and extensive follow-up care. The physical and emotional toll of his condition made it increasingly difficult for him to continue working. Despite his efforts to remain employed, his employers were unable to accommodate the significant number of missed days, and he ultimately lost his job.

The sudden job loss, combined with the psychological impact of coping with a serious illness, caused Rashuan to fall behind on essential living expenses. He reported experiencing intense depression, fatigue, and anxiety, all of which affected his ability to maintain financial stability. By the time he sought support, he had accumulated nearly $2,978 in unpaid bills. In an effort to avoid falling further behind—and to preserve his housing and academic progress — Rashuan applied for the Helping Hands Grant. He was awarded the full amount of $2,978, which allowed him to resolve his outstanding financial obligations.

Rashuan expressed profound gratitude for the assistance, stating that the grant provided a lifeline during one of the most challenging times of his life. He explained that the award not only helped him maintain his basic living needs but also gave him the emotional relief needed to stay focused on his treatment and coursework. To maintain long-term stability, he is currently working with a peer navigator who is helping him develop a sustainable money-management plan, explore additional financial supports, and access mental-health resources on campus. This comprehensive support system is helping him regain a sense of control and continue pursuing his degree despite the medical and financial challenges he is facing.

Darius and Maya are proud parents of four beautiful children. Darius suffered an injury on the job that rendered him unable to work for over six weeks. The family exhausted their savings to stay afloat, but they fell behind on one month of rent and their landlord filed a court ordered eviction. With help from the Gerstner Family Foundation, we were was able to pay the family’s past due rent and prevent them from becoming homeless. During the course of agency intervention, Darius completed physical therapy and returned to work. Additionally, Maya received resume building assistance and was able to obtain a higher paying job. The family has remained current on rent since agency intervention and the parents are working to rebuild their savings.

Tessa, a first-year college student pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice, enrolled full-time with a 16-credit course load is motivated to complete her degree and make a better life for herself. She has been diligently balancing her academic responsibilities while working full-time and raising her child as a single mother. Despite these challenges, she has maintained a solid 3.0 GPA, demonstrating her determination to succeed.

Earlier this year, Tessa faced a significant setback when her hours were unexpectedly reduced due to new hires at her job. With the sudden drop in income, she was unable to afford essential repairs to her car, repairs that were critical to ensuring she could continue commuting safely to both school and work. Tessa recognized the risk this posed to her academic and professional goals and proactively reached out to the Office of Student Support Services for help.

Thanks to a Gerstner Helping Hands grant of $2,786.89, Tessa was able to repair her car and maintain uninterrupted access to work and school. This support prevented the cascading effects of transportation loss, including missed classes and job loss.

Since receiving the grant, Tessa has secured an additional part-time job and applied for a work-study position to create a more stable financial buffer in the event of future emergencies. She continues to maintain her GPA and is enrolled in both summer and fall 2025 classes, staying firmly on track toward her degree and long-term goals.

Jasmine is a single, working mother of 2 children (ages 20 and 13) faced eviction after losing her CityFHEPS rental subsidy, the crucial support program upon which she relied to assist with the monthly rent. Her housing court case had been pending for a year when she came to POTS, and the situation worsened when Jasmine was forced to undergo emergency surgery, causing a significant loss of income during her recovery.

Jasmine was reapproved for the City FHEPS subsidy and POTS was able to successfully advocate for issuance of an arrears payment of $13,470 from HRA in addition to the ongoing monthly rent subsidy. POTS also provided a Helping Hands grant to bridge the gap between the city grant obtained on her behalf, and the rent arrears still owed due to the unexpected loss of full employment income during her recovery from surgery. These efforts ensured that Jasmine could satisfy the full amount owed to her landlord.

POTS accepted the housing case for court representation and secured a discontinuance of the nonpayment eviction case upon payment. Jasmine was able to resolve her arrears, restore her monthly rental subsidy, and secure long-term housing stability for herself and her children, emerging from a period of financial and health hardship with a renewed foundation for the future.

Alexis is pursuing a degree in Unique and Interdisciplinary Studies. Her emergency situation was triggered by the loss of her spouse to lung cancer, which resulted in significant financial hardship and placed her at risk of eviction. As a mother and full-time student, this unexpected loss severely impacted her household income and stability. Alexis applied for emergency support and received assistance in the amount of $2,506.98 for rent, transportation, clothing, and household essentials through the Student Emergency Fund. This immediate aid helped stabilize her housing situation and meet critical needs during a period of acute vulnerability. Following the emergency intervention, Alexis was connected to a long-term rental assistance program and has since secured part-time employment, positioning her on a path toward greater financial stability. These developments have enabled her to continue her education with reduced financial strain, while maintaining a stable living environment for herself and her child.
 

Sara is an Earth and Environmental Science PhD student with a 3.9 GPA. Sara's health emergencies prevented her from leaving a domestic abuse situation and she has been living with friends while completing her dissertation. She applied to the emergency grant program for rent and moving support however the new landlord would not provide necessary documents. To help alleviate moving costs, the Helping Hands emergency grant instead paid  $1194 towards her medical bills. With this support, Sara maintained matriculation and is working on her dissertation in the Fall semester.

Monique was suddenly released from her job and was denied unemployment assistance. With no income and limited resources, Monique faced the imminent threat of eviction. Our team provided financial support to cover the rent with Helping Hands funding. This intervention prevented eviction and stabilized her housing situation, allowing her to focus on rebuilding without the fear of losing her home. At the same time, she was enrolled in our Workforce Development Program, where she received career coaching, job search support, and resume writing assistance. With the help of these resources and job leads provided by our team, Monique was able to secure new full-time employment. Additionally, she completed our Financial Literacy Workshops, where she learned effective budgeting, money management, and how to build savings. These tools have given her the confidence and ability to manage her finances more effectively and prepare for future emergencies.