Help Maria to Finally Find a New Home

Do you remember Maria? Remember that elderly lady, 75, her son Nelson, 55, and brother Ricardo, 81, who were evicted for sheltering too many cats in her Miami Beach apartment last year, when hurricane Dorian was approaching?

Back then, I was overwhelmed by the support of our Miami Beach community. I still remember Commissioner John Elizabeth Aleman and South Florida Seniors in Action’s Eddie Sierra, respond the same night to Maria’s situation and helped her find a first refuge at the Salvation Army in Miami.

Well, today I have news for you: Maria is STILL at the Salvation Army homeless shelter, and her son, Nelson, passed away only one day before his 56th birthday,  on June 5th.

Sadly, I have witnessed this tragedy unfolding first-hand. Unfortunately, I do not have the powers or authority to effectively help Maria and her family find a better ending to this nightmare, and that’s why I turn to you again - my neighbors. Hopefully, together, we can get some help moving for Maria so that she can finally find some peace with her brother back in Miami Beach.

UPDATE:

After Maria’s initial eviction and refuge at Miami’s Salvation Army, everything seemed to work out great for her! With Commissioner Aleman’s help, I was in direct contact with Miami Beach Housing Director, Maria Ruiz, who initially assisted us with finding Maria a permanent home in Miami Beach.

However, the situation became more difficult when we noticed that none in Maria’s family had any current, valid ID, which was required for them to be eligible for ANY governmental help. No Social Security, no Medicare, no housing, not EVEN a Golden Pass to get free public transportation! Without IDs, Maria did not even have a bank account...

So as a result of the missing IDs, Maria, could not get permanent housing, and was not able to open a bank account and transfer her collected GoFundMe donations in the amount of approximately $6500 to it.

After months of bureaucracy, trying to get Maria an ID, GoFundMe finally returned the money raised to its donors - leaving Maria and her family without one dollar - nada - not a penny - ni un centavo!

Moreover, while waiting for Maria’s ID, her son, Nelson, suffered a stroke, and had to undergo a head surgery from which he apparently never completely recovered until he finally passed away on June 5th.

When Maria, FINALLY received her ID (HALLELUJAH!), this SUDDENLY was not enough anymore for Miami Beach Housing to offer her permanent housing anymore. When I called Director, Maria Ruiz, to tell her that Maria finally had received her required ID and was ready to move to permanent Miami Beach housing, Ms. Ruiz explained that a Miami-Dade case manager had been assigned to Maria’s case and was responsible for finding her permanent housing now. Basically, in kind words, Ms. Ruiz explained to me that Miami Beach was out of the picture!

I’ve spoken to Maria several times since then, but unfortunately have not heard of any progress from her or her assigned case manager.

Honestly, I feel bad that I was not able to help Maria more...

I wish that I had better news to share with you, but it’s because I feel powerless and without any other recourse for this elderly lady, who currently is mourning the death of her son at a homeless shelter in Miami that I turn to you again Miami Beach - let’s write a positive ending to this story together please.

Please contribute to help Maria  find a new home.