Hi everyone, I am writing on behalf of my friend, Janet Thomas, full of life and effervescent. Never complaining. Janet is currently gripped in the throughs of a financial crisis. She desperately needs the full force of community to help meet her current living expenses and those moving forward into the future. This financial emergency arises from a series of health emergencies that Janet experienced from July 2021 through January 2022.

 

This post is dedicated to Janet, and by extension, all those similarly situated who live in the shadows of society. These are the people who quietly work in the background making sure that things run smoothly. They are the garbage collectors, cleaning staff, dish washers, food preparation workers, window washers—the working poor who live on the edges of our economy who most people do not see or even consider. People who live paycheck-to-paycheck who are just one accident or health crisis away from losing everything. This is where we find Janet today.

 

Janet’s Story

 

What started out as a seemingly minor health concern in May 2021, unexpectedly turned into a situation where by July 2021 Janet could barely walk. This put Janet in a worrisome predicament, as she works for a Federally contracted cleaning service. Her work is physical. From July to December 2021, Janet found herself propelled into an unending cycle of health crisis after health crisis. Between July and October 2021, Janet had two minor surgeries and many doctor’s appointments, punctuated by numerous visits to local hospital emergency departments. Despite all her pain and visits to emergency rooms, Janet still went to work, as she needed the money to pay her bills. In November and December 2021, Janet had two prolonged hospital stays. The first hospital stay lasting 2 weeks, and the second lasting 4 weeks where she had major surgery and was treated for a life-threatening health issue. Janet spent her January in recovery at home.

 

As with most blue-collar jobs, if you don’t work, you don’t get paid. By the end of November, Janet was out of leave. This turn of events has placed Janet in a desperate situation. Janet has no money, no safety net, and nowhere to turn to. I help her out where I can, but at this point we need the strength of community to help prop up Janet and provide a safety net so that she can pay her bills and stay in her apartment. I am calling on those of us who are fortunate enough to have good jobs and financial security to open their hearts and wallets, and send a message to Janet that she is valued and loved, and that her contribution to society matters. I believe that together, we can help put a dent in Janet’s financial needs and also provide a safety net for her in the future. Although Janet’s health status is tenuous, she wants to return to work. That is the legacy of her strong work ethic. Always moving forward, never complaining, always grateful. I worry about her and want to ensure that beyond meeting her current financial needs, we can also pool together our resources to ensure that our sister has a safety net.

 

Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart!