An update for Jair & Anjelica. Currently they are in a hotel until at least the 15th as they continue to look for permanent housing.
From Lisa's personal Facebook page:
"The latest on the family I love that you all have grown to love also.
8 days ago they moved out of the church apartment and a generous JYM alumni family used their Marriott points to put them up in a Residence Inn for 3 nights. I raised some funds through other JYM student alumni, families and BootCampers and we were able to extend their stay until tomorrow. Tomorrow, another connection through Bootcamp and JYM will extend their stay for a little bit longer. The Residence Inn was chosen because they have a full kitchen in their room as well as free breakfast (Angelica tells me they go twice a day) and a pool. In addition to that it's minutes from Sebastian's school which he starts tomorrow as a brand new 4th grader. Let me tell you how impossible getting housing is in this city.
While many well meaning people have suggested they get on the affordable housing lists (they did 16 months ago) or apply through local non profits (they have) or apply for something out of the area '(they have considered it but they have a community here and school that Sebastian has thrived at, one of their jobs and Zoe's daycare) it is insanely hard navigate.
They have applied all over the place in San Jose, but have had to limit their search because every place costs at least $45 to apply. In addition to that, while they have references, paycheck stubs and a deposit, they have only been in the country for about 2 years and lived at Casitas De Esperanza for 16 months so they do not have credit built up. They have their citizenship papers, are taking English, trying to make a living, securing daycare for Zoe, establishing Sebastian in school.....poverty is exhausting and expensive.
There are two very hopeful places we have been holding our breath on hearing back from. One is a studio apartment near Sebastian's school and one is a one bedroom near AHUMC. The property owners only speak English. The contracts and paperwork are only in English. The fees, appointment times and communication is only in English. They have their past social worker from Casitas helping them understand everything when he isn't helping current Casitas families. I have been working with the two apartment complexes and shared I can be a cosigner or guarantor of their lease. So now we just pray and wait and hope a lot.
The family has said numerous times how grateful they are to God and to all of you for coming out of the woodwork to support them. They feel badly but also indebted to everyone for extending themselves so much. I've told them they deserve a shelter for their family and a place to raise their kids and that I am sorry it's so very hard to secure that in this area but that everyone who has given wants good for them."
1. Does anyone have a space they can live in consistently- an aud, apartment, studio, two rooms to rent etc?
2. Does anyone have a space they can rent for just one month while they try to secure permanent housing?
3. Many have asked if can they donate money to help them, and we can’t do it through the JYM or church because it’s specific to one family and will be given exclusively to them, but you can give to my Venmo and I will save it all and give it to them. I can share what I’ve collected and show the total transferred to them after collecting from all of you generous humans. I will use some of it to get them a hotel tomorrow (if the above ask doesn’t work) for as long as it takes until we can secure housing and then the rest will be given to them.
My Venmo is Lisajacobs313
https://venmo.com/u/Lisajacobs313
Also pray something miraculous happens. When it does and they secure a place I will be asking for help with used furniture donations and kitchen supplies etc and that will be another great way to help. Thanks so much.
For more questions, please contact Lisa
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