Brighten Garlena and Jay’s Future
Donation protected
On April 13, 2020, the Richmond Times Dispatch newspaper printed a front-page story about the housing crisis that Garlena and her son, Jay have been going through for the past few months. To stay off the streets, Garlena and her son have been paying weekly to stay at a Motel 6 located near Richmond International Airport each week since August of 2019. (Click to read newspaper article about Garlena and Jay)
Garlena has been a faithful and outgoing member of the William & Mary Dining services team for over a decade (William & Mary Employee Recognition Page). She left William & Mary Dining Services shortly after the unexpected death of her husband, because the grief of losing her life partner sent her spiraling into a deep depression and added a lot of stress to her life with Jay. Yearning for a fresh start, Garlena decided to move to a house in New Kent County, but the mold issues forced her to move out. She could not find any other place in the area she could afford given her limited funds which is how she landed staying in the Motel 6 she is in today with her son. Garlena is now employed with a nearby Wendy’s Restaurant, but her hours have been cut due to the pandemic leaving a $273 biweekly check, along with a $600 Social Security check a month. Motel 6 charges her $302.64 per week which adds up to more than $1200 a month, and that is not including expenses needed for other essential goods/items.
Garlena’s dream is to move into a two-bedroom apartment located in the Varina High School zone in order that her son, Jay will have a chance to attend college and obtain a good-paying job. First month’s rent, a security deposit and an application fee that totals up to $1700 would be due before she could move in. Garlena also has one more hurdle to jump over, and that is settling her delinquent electricity bill with Dominion Energy. She will not be able to turn on services at her new address or sign her future lease until the balance is paid off.
I understand that the entire world is facing a pandemic, but that does not mean we should stop caring about the welfare of others. I hope that those reading this will find it in their hearts to give something to bless Garlena and her son Jay.
If you have questions, please don't hesitate to email [email redacted].edu
Garlena has been a faithful and outgoing member of the William & Mary Dining services team for over a decade (William & Mary Employee Recognition Page). She left William & Mary Dining Services shortly after the unexpected death of her husband, because the grief of losing her life partner sent her spiraling into a deep depression and added a lot of stress to her life with Jay. Yearning for a fresh start, Garlena decided to move to a house in New Kent County, but the mold issues forced her to move out. She could not find any other place in the area she could afford given her limited funds which is how she landed staying in the Motel 6 she is in today with her son. Garlena is now employed with a nearby Wendy’s Restaurant, but her hours have been cut due to the pandemic leaving a $273 biweekly check, along with a $600 Social Security check a month. Motel 6 charges her $302.64 per week which adds up to more than $1200 a month, and that is not including expenses needed for other essential goods/items.
Garlena’s dream is to move into a two-bedroom apartment located in the Varina High School zone in order that her son, Jay will have a chance to attend college and obtain a good-paying job. First month’s rent, a security deposit and an application fee that totals up to $1700 would be due before she could move in. Garlena also has one more hurdle to jump over, and that is settling her delinquent electricity bill with Dominion Energy. She will not be able to turn on services at her new address or sign her future lease until the balance is paid off.
I understand that the entire world is facing a pandemic, but that does not mean we should stop caring about the welfare of others. I hope that those reading this will find it in their hearts to give something to bless Garlena and her son Jay.
If you have questions, please don't hesitate to email [email redacted].edu
Organizer
Terelle Robinson
Organizer
Falling Creek Farms, VA