Single Mom Of Three Overcomes Health & Financial Obstacles With OLCDC

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Kathy Howe is a single mother of three children, ages five, eight, and 11. She was referred to Opa-locka Community Development Corporation’s (OLCDC) care coordination services by the Principal at the Arts Academy of Excellence, where one of her children attended school.

The Principal informed Howe of the OLCDC’s Keeping the Promise program, which serves as a hub that links families to needed community resources through care coordination and wraparound services. These services include but are not limited to family therapy, emergency assistance, and individual tutoring.

After enrolling in care coordination, Howe soon became unemployed due to an unfortunate diagnosis of breast cancer. As the sole income earner in the home, Howe worried about how she would continue to provide for her family. Like any mother, she wanted the best for her children, and at this time, being able to give her children a home with working electricity was “the best.”

“Between receiving chemotherapy and worrying about paying my bills, I became very stressed out,” said Howe.

After continuing to work with OLCDC’s engaged family counselors, Howe found comfort in knowing that they had her and her children’s best interest at heart.

“Working with OLCDC, it gave me one less thing to worry about. Now, my kids don’t have to wonder if the lights will be on when we get home.”

The Keeping, Our Promise program helped her with utility assistance and provided her with additional community resources to assist her children. Now Howe has completed all of her chemotherapy sessions and was able to return to work.

“I don’t know how I would have made it without OLCDC helping me.”

If you or someone you know needs assistance, visit olcdc.org for more information about the programs and various resources available to you and the community.

Republished with permission from the OLCDC. This is a Hy-Lo News Staff Report

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