A new start

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We have a unique opportunity right now to help a hard-working neighbor get back on his feet. But it won’t last long!

Please read his story:

 

To My Dear Friends,

You may or may not know me, but I’m a neighbor of yours, right here in RBS. And, like you, I used to be a self-sufficient, financially-stable member of the community.  Until a series of challenges hit me, one after the other, and upended my life.

It started 15 years ago, when someone I trusted scammed me, and I lost everything I owned. It was a devastating blow, but, after finally accepting that I’d never recover my money, I realized I would just have to pick myself up and start again. And I was determined to do whatever it took.

But unfortunately, subsequent life circumstances prevented me from doing so.

I have a severely autistic child, and there have been periods when caring for him prevented me from working as much as I needed.  Then, almost three years ago, my eight-year-old was hit head on by a car. We almost lost him, but Baruch Hashem, his life was saved. Yet, his medical issues still linger years later, and he continues to go for treatments.

Then there’s my wife, who witnessed the accident, and endured severe trauma as a result. It’s been a long process of recovery for her, and her sleepless nights and PTSD that she still suffers from today have required me at times to assume much of the responsibility for running our home - again making it difficult for me to work full-time.  

Still, I’ve tried my utmost to support my family. I’ve cleaned houses, worked three jobs at a time – whatever I could do, I did, to get us back on our feet.  Nobody likes to take tzedakah.  For years, my biggest goal has been to become financially self-sufficient once again.

Now, finally, I’ve reached a point where my jobs allow me to support my family without outside help. However, we still have huge bank debts. And as long as they exist, most of my salary will go towards paying them off.  With the constantly accumulating interest, no matter how much I pay, these debts will never go away.  They’ve put liens on my account as a result.

We tried to declare bankruptcy, but couldn’t manage to pay the monthly fees set for us as part of the bankruptcy arrangement. It was literally either paying my creditors or buying food for my family. So the judge canceled our bankruptcy petition. 

I don’t own a house, I have no savings, no pension.  All I have is the income from my job – enough to feed my family, but not to get us out of debt.

But now, suddenly, an opportunity has arisen for me to finish this entire story, once and for all.   A non-profit organization is finalizing a deal to pay off all of my bank debts.  If I can raise $100,000 by Dec. 25^th, I’ll finally be able to close this 15-year saga. My debts will be gone, my slate wiped clean, and I’ll be able to sustain my family without needing tzedakah b’ezras Hashem.

I can finally see the light at the end of this long, dark tunnel.  But I can’t get out of it by myself.  As hard as it is for me to share my story and ask for help, I have no other choice.  My family and I have this last shot at getting back on our feet, and returning to the self-sufficient people we used to be.

Can you please help us get there?

 

In exchange for your caring, may Hashem shower you with abundant brachos in your own lives.

 

With deep appreciation,

Your Neighbor

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With many thanks for your consideration



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