Client Story: Jessica
Jessica said she used her life savings to purchase a home mortgage-free in 2014 for her and her then newborn son. About seven months later, Jessica’s sister and five children moved in permanently after their home burned down. On Sept. 10, 2017, Jessica’s son’s birthday, a tree fell through the roof after Hurricane Irma roared through Orlando.
The family spent the next two years struggling to get the home repaired.
“I called everybody,” Jessica said. “I called the city. I tried to get loans. I wasn’t eligible for a lot of things.”
Jessica eventually applied to receive assistance from RISE Orange County, a disaster recovery program that uses FEMA money distributed by the state, to repair homes. The organization fixed Jessica’s roof, replaced the ceiling, drywall, air conditioning unit and electrical wiring. The organization also landscaped and repainted the home.
Jessica also received help from Endeavors, a crisis social services agency that helps with disaster relief. Endeavors referred Jessica to The Mustard Seed for furniture assistance. Jessica received all the furnishings she needed to start over, including living room furniture, a dining table, a brand new refrigerator, seven beds and much more.
“I’m so grateful and definitely appreciative,” Jessica said. “All this assistance has taken a lot off my plate.”