Help for Marty
Donación protegida
Marty is a bright, sensitive, engaging man in his forties who is crippled by severe depression and other mental health issues. He has been homeless and holding on by a thread for years - living in a van and, after the van was gone, panhandling for motel money. Recently I have seen an alarmng decline in his already-limited ability to function. As I write this, he is also physically ill - which is interfering with his tenuous efforts to meet his most basic needs.
Obviously, Marty needs to pursue benefits and services. This has been overwhelming to him, both because of his mental health issues and because of practical considerations. But he is making progress. He has recently had an intake appointment at a local mental health agency and has begun the process of applying for benefits through Social Security. Hopefully, he will receive meaningful assistance. Hopefully it will come sooner rather than later. But I know it won't come overnight.
It is a terrible waste of money for Marty to be staying in motels night by night, but without a monthly income and a lump sum to get into a room or apartment, a motel seems to be the only option open to him.
My goals for Marty are:
1. To keep a roof over his head while he pursues obtaining mental health services and cash benefits that will provide him with a regular monthly income.
2. To help him get into a private room with a bath or a small apartment as soon as possible. I hope to find something that he will ultimately be able to afford if he qualifies for SSI or another source of monthly income. Ideally it would be in a location near public transportation and a grocery store. I can't help but think that if Marty doesn't have the daily stress of trying to maintain shelter, he will be in a much better position to take advantage of the mental health services he is beginning to plug into.
3. If there are any funds remaining, to help him with expenses that his limited resources won't cover.
In the happy event that there are more funds than are needed to meet these goals for Marty, I will use them to provide similar assistance to someone else.
A note re philosophy: There are so many people who need help, it is overwhelming. I have no idea how to effectively tackle the big problems of homelessness. But I know this one guy. I think that with a relatively modest amount of help, he could actually have a life. I have been doing what I can, but he needs more help than I can provide on my own.
A note re funds management: I have opened a separate, earmarked bank account for this campaign. I will administer the funds and will use them only for the purposes listed above. I am an adoption attorney and have managed client trust funds for over 35 years.
Obviously, Marty needs to pursue benefits and services. This has been overwhelming to him, both because of his mental health issues and because of practical considerations. But he is making progress. He has recently had an intake appointment at a local mental health agency and has begun the process of applying for benefits through Social Security. Hopefully, he will receive meaningful assistance. Hopefully it will come sooner rather than later. But I know it won't come overnight.
It is a terrible waste of money for Marty to be staying in motels night by night, but without a monthly income and a lump sum to get into a room or apartment, a motel seems to be the only option open to him.
My goals for Marty are:
1. To keep a roof over his head while he pursues obtaining mental health services and cash benefits that will provide him with a regular monthly income.
2. To help him get into a private room with a bath or a small apartment as soon as possible. I hope to find something that he will ultimately be able to afford if he qualifies for SSI or another source of monthly income. Ideally it would be in a location near public transportation and a grocery store. I can't help but think that if Marty doesn't have the daily stress of trying to maintain shelter, he will be in a much better position to take advantage of the mental health services he is beginning to plug into.
3. If there are any funds remaining, to help him with expenses that his limited resources won't cover.
In the happy event that there are more funds than are needed to meet these goals for Marty, I will use them to provide similar assistance to someone else.
A note re philosophy: There are so many people who need help, it is overwhelming. I have no idea how to effectively tackle the big problems of homelessness. But I know this one guy. I think that with a relatively modest amount of help, he could actually have a life. I have been doing what I can, but he needs more help than I can provide on my own.
A note re funds management: I have opened a separate, earmarked bank account for this campaign. I will administer the funds and will use them only for the purposes listed above. I am an adoption attorney and have managed client trust funds for over 35 years.
Organizador
Michele Hinz
Organizador
Auburn, WA
