That is the best way to describe the experience of a single father who is raising five sons, four of whom are under 18 years of age and still in school. Until recently, he was able to provide for them because he was employed as a chef. Then, the restaurant was sold and closed for renovations. Having been laid off and with no other form of income, he signed up to receive unemployment benefits. The $96 he received weekly did little to cover his housing expenses but it was enough to pay for a hotel room.
 
Desperate, he applied for and received the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, food stamps and health care benefits. He also called 211 to inquire about emergency housing. He contacted Christian Community Action at least three times before an apartment in our Hillside Family Shelter became available.  He and his sons moved in but, still, he was unable to secure employment. Lead after lead was explored, yet nothing materialized.
 
To support him in this endeavor, gift cards were supplied through N2N so that he could feed and take care of himself and children. These small gifts, along with strong case management support and a successful referral by APT Vocational Services, changed his life for the better.
 
He applied for and was accepted into Christian Community Action’s Stepping Stone Transitional Housing Program.  Funds from N2N were also used to provide relocation assistance so that the family could move into the designated apartment. They are now there, looking forward to a better future. Not only that, but he just got hired as a chef at a restaurant in downtown New Haven!  He has started and is just about to receive his first paycheck.
 
As a result, the father became much more relaxed and now has peace of mind knowing that his sons have some stability. N2N was the way that he was able to take care of his and his children’s basic needs. It was in small steps, indeed, but made a huge difference.