Posted on the Palm Health Foundation website on July 21, 2020
Janette “Garcia” of Lake Worth Beach never believed COVID-19 could
happen to her. She never believed she would be so sick she couldn’t work
and provide for her family. And she never believed she would have to
consider living on the street.
But she did believe someone would answer her prayers for help. That
someone was Andy McAusland, director of grants and evaluation at Palm
Health Foundation. He called Janette in April with the news that the
foundation’s new Neighbors Helping Neighbors Fund
would pay her rent through mid-July to keep her and her family safely
in their home. McAusland learned of Janette’s story after she submitted
it to the foundation’s SenseMaker COVID-19 story collection website that is tracking the impact of the pandemic on the lives of citizens.
A house cleaner by profession, Janette provides for her sister,
72-year-old diabetic mother and 12-year-old son. All were stricken with
COVID-19, but Janette’s case was the worst, with effects that still
linger months after receiving the results of her positive test on March
31. Janette lives in a largely Hispanic community located in western
Lake Worth Beach that is the third highest hit by COVID-19 in the
county.
“Everyone in my house was sick,” said Janette. “How would we pay our
bills? I thought we would have to go live under a bridge. I prayed for
someone to help me.”
The outpouring of need from Palm Beach County residents like Janette is
why Palm Health Foundation decided to create the Neighbors Helping
Neighbors Fund and ask others to join. The foundation has committed up
to $200,000 to provide a dollar-for-dollar match for every contribution
made to help residents who are struggling to pay their rent, access
food, receive medical treatment and other urgent needs. Partner
nonprofits in the foundation’s six Healthier Together communities
distribute the funds to residents. In Janette’s case, Bridges at Lake
Worth West is providing the funding for her rent and Community Partners
of South Florida is supporting her and her mother with services.
While Janette is negative for COVID-19 and would like to go back to
work, many of her clients are hesitant to have her come to their homes
to clean. McAusland has continued to be an angel to her, sometimes
leaving food at her door.
“Andy told me, ‘we are going to help you,’” said Janette. “I am so
grateful to the foundation. We are able to sleep in our home. Otherwise,
I don’t know where we could go. I never imagined this.”
About Palm Health Foundation Palm Health Foundation is Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health. With the support of donors and a focus on results, the foundation builds strong community partnerships, respects diverse opinions, advocates for its most vulnerable neighbors and inspires innovative solutions to lead change for better health now and for generations to come. The foundation supports health equity for Palm Beach County residents of all backgrounds, heritage, education, incomes and states of well-being. Palm Health Foundation has invested more than $83 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.