With five days left before the start of a new year would you consider taking advantage of your charitable intents by making a gift before 11:59pm on Dec. 31st? As you know, the Sacramento LGBT Community Center is a 501c(3) tax-exempt charity recognized by the Internal Revenue Service. We are also proud holders of GuideStar’s Platinum Seal of Transparency- the highest honor amongst charitable organizations nationwide.
Of course, we want to earn your support. If you’re committed to our community, and especially for those living on the margins, please read about Charlotte.
Charlotte connected with the Problem Solving Access Point Program at the Center to seek move-in assistance and prevent yet another case of being on the streets. She needed funds to move into a senior supportive facility that was out of her budget. At her age, she was still couch surfing with family and that would only last through the end of the month.
The new facility would provide additional support from staff to help Charlotte live independently. We worked with her to determine how she could leverage her SSI funds and helped her ask her daughter to co-sign her lease. Unfortunately, with her poor credit history she was required to provide a conditional deposit of $1,000 in addition to a “bond” deposit of $265. Our PSAP program negotiated with the prospective landlord to discuss move-in costs, alternative payment options, and ways to reduce the barrier of this much needed housing solution. We also worked with her daughter to identify any funding that could be used to support her mother.
At 61, Charlotte narrowly avoided being homeless again thanks to our PSAP staff, her daughter, and our work with the prospective landlord. Not only is she able to navigate these complex housing steps in the future, but she has a renewed sense that she’s not alone… and that she can live independently and affirmed by the many in our community who care.
More people are turning to the Center in desperate need of assistance than ever before and our next moves are critical. As we lead in the best way we can, we also acknowledge that the journey will be challenging. Please join us to help our community members like Charlotte thrive.