A utility shut-off notice speaks to unpaid bills, but often signals a deeper story—in this case, about the hidden barriers to full-time employment.
Christina* had planned for the sleepless nights of new motherhood—but not for the sleepless nights of an unexpected housing search.
The path to financial hardship often begins with ordinary life events that could affect any family. For Lauren, what began as a routine medical restriction following her C-section cascaded into a series of complications that demonstrated how quickly stable income and housing can become precarious.
A traumatic incident at school changed the trajectory of Katherine*’s son’s life, and with it, their family’s stability. The situation demanded Katherine’s full attention – court appearances, meetings with school officials, and supporting her son’s recovery consumed her days.
When Morgan*’s twelve-year-old daughter was diagnosed with leukemia in August, it coincided with a period of unemployment for her husband. The timing forced both parents to miss work, straining an already precarious financial situation.
When Rebecca’s* child was born in March, what should have been a time of joy became a period of mounting uncertainty. Without paid maternity leave, she faced three months without income, disrupting the careful payment arrangement she had established with her landlord.
When Erica’s* daughter needed multiple dental and medical procedures over the summer, the timing seemed ideal. Her daughter, who has Down syndrome, could recover without missing school. However, the sequence of necessary procedures – tooth extractions, ear tubes, a sleep study, and adenoid removal – required more time off work than Erica’s remaining paid leave could cover.
A house fire marked the beginning of a challenging period for Caryn and her family. While they continued living in their damaged home, fate dealt another blow – Caryn was struck by a car, leaving her temporarily unable to work.
For Astrid, a home health aide and single mother, the delicate balance of work and childcare rested on predictable daytime hours. This stability was upended when her client passed away and her employer could only offer overnight shifts – a schedule impossible to maintain without access to overnight childcare.
Daphne*, a working mother of three, unexpectedly received a 10-day electricity shutoff notice. Since moving into their new place, Daphne had struggled to understand why her electricity bills had suddenly skyrocketed. With 12-year-old twins and a 17-year-old at home, the prospect of an electricity shutoff put the family’s food security at risk.