Alone and in Dire Financial Straits

I am starting this page on behalf E. Saliha “Sally” Bebek. A tremendous person who I value and cherish as a very important role model in my life and has been a part of our family way before I was born.  Sally came to the United States at a very early age from Turkey sponsored by an American couple.  Not having the benefit of familial support thousands of miles from the country of her birth, the young and impressionable Sally assimilated to her new country, pursued her nursing certification, became a proud naturalized American and served her community in San Francisco for many decades as a brilliant Registered Nurse.    

 

Fast forward to today (1/10/2022), Sally who lives alone (in her early 80s) in a senior residential complex in Millbrae, CA has unfortunately fell into dire financial straits. Her savings by attrition, is depleted with less than 30-45 days of income to maintain her independent livelihood. Her only source of income, her monthly social security check, is markedly insufficient to cover the rent, the astronomically expensive medication she’s prescribed for clinical depression, and the purchase of basic sustenance. For the past few months, her rent has been augmented by the proceeds provided by a Turkish-American foundation located in Redwood City.   The sad commentary here is that her prescribed medication for clinical depression is not available in generic form and is very expensive.   Without medication, she risks relapse and additional complications.  

Although the intent of the fundraiser is to, in the short-term, help Sally anyway possible and relieve the financial struggles she is so undeservedly enduring, there are more complex issues that somehow needs to be resolved.  Sally has to move out to a new location.  Unfortunately, the County of San Mateo cannot accommodate her with low-income housing  and the Turkish-American foundation supplementing her rent, indicated that their assistance was temporary (a few months) and will discontinue within the next 1-2 months.  Unfortunately the foundation is insisting Sally relocate back to Turkey and settle into a nursing home.  For Sally, the United States is the only home she knows.  She is afraid and does not want to go back to a country she left 60 years ago that is all too foreign to her now.  

 

My heart bleeds for Sally and I hope you can find it in your heart to donate as any and all amounts received will be Godsend… thank you in advance.