Help Cheri, 73, Rebuild Her Life After Health Crisis & Sudden Homelessness

Cheri is a 73-year-old woman who has spent her life quietly serving others — for years she served her church community, working as secretary/receptionist, online coordinator, along with assisting the many ministries and other church outreach & activities. But in February 2025, a torn rotator cuff in her right shoulder began a cascade of health crises that no one could have predicted.

What started as a shoulder injury quickly spiraled, as the MRI of her shoulder showed severe Osteoporosis that prevented surgery. 

While in hospital she experienced intense abdominal pain and CT scans, colonoscopy and endoscopy revealed an esophageal condition that causes difficulty swallowing, serious stercoral colitis, diverticulitis and a worsening hiatal hernia leading to dangerous obstipation, a serious intestinal condition all of which will require surgeries. She has been advised that more scans are needed to monitor potential cancerous growths and ischemia

Neuropathy later developed in her feet that makes walking agonizing. 

Sleep deprivation from pain in her shoulder, digestive tract and feet along with the stress of losing so much basic functionality caused bouts of anxiety and depression, which led to a mental breakdown that also triggered a serious food aversion, causing her to lose over 40 pounds rapidly. Her physicians have suggested the esophageal /swallowing and other digestive problems are implicated.

Today, Cheri uses a wheelchair and is still fighting to stabilize her health.

Because of these devastating conditions, she was unable to continue working at the Church. Although they had been most generous in granting her a period of sick leave, by September 2025 her employment ended, resulting in significant loss of income leaving her with only a small Social Security benefit.

Then came another blow. After 15 years in her Orlando Florida home her lease was not renewed. With her health shattered and her income nearly gone, Cheri found herself without a home. After years of participating in the homeless ministry at the Church, Cheri now faced homelessness herself as the cost of housing has increased so dramatically.

She now needs to relocate to the Bay Area, California to be near her son, as he can help her navigate medical necessities, appointments, adjusting to a completely new living environment and the slow road to recovery.

But getting there, securing housing in a new city, covering the gap in basic needs and significant medical expenses requires resources she simply doesn’t have. Her age and health condition preclude any future employment.

Here is what we’re raising funds for:

∙ Relocation costs including moving her belongings from Winter Park to the Bay Area

∙ Housing deposit + first and last month’s rent — so she has a stable, safe place to live.

 Significant ongoing Medical expenses, surgeries, scans other testing etc along with extensive nutritional recovery even transportation as she still can’t drive due to the shoulder and feet.

Cheri is not someone who asks for help easily. She spent decades being the person others leaned on. Now it’s her turn to receive that grace.

Even a small gift makes a real difference. And sharing her story costs nothing but could change everything.

Thank you for helping Cheri in her time of need.

Suggested Goal: $18,000–$22,000

Also please pray for Cheri.