rose_bowen Posted December 31, 2008 Posted December 31, 2008 I have a client/friend in Pitman, New Jersey who's a single mom with three daughters. This has been a really bad year for her. I helped her get her online store running several years ago and host her website. Naturally the economic downturn has hit her business like everyone else's, but she was out for several weeks this fall with surgery. That put her behind on bills. This month her cable, gas (heat) and internet were cut off for non-payment. The day before Christmas eve, a man showed up at 4 am to repossess her car, and gave her three minutes to get everything out of the car that she needed. Unfortunately, all her girls' Christmas gifts were in the back of the car, and they wouldn't give her time to get those out before towing the car away (oh, but if she could come three hours away to retrieve them, she could get them at their office). Naturally that meant a meager Christmas, but she has more pressing issues to deal with. Right now she has an immediate need of a car or she has no means of earning an income. She has applied for food stamps but because she owns real estate, they say she has too much equity to qualify... but with this bad real estate market she hasn't been able to sell what she has either. She sounded so desperate this morning, I just had to wonder if there might be someone here who would have suggestions. I would love to have her wrapped in concern by my adventist church family somehow. She's a Methodist and belongs to the biggest church in the area, and nobody has come forward to offer any help in her struggles. Maybe you know someone in her area who might know how to get the word out that this single mom needs some help and show her what a real church is like? Unfortunately, I don't even know any SDA's in New Jersey, so I woudn't know where to start... Quote Web developer at Global Exposures since 1996.
Members rudywoofs (Pam) Posted December 31, 2008 Members Posted December 31, 2008 The conference office for NJ should be able to tell you where an Adventist Community Services center is located in that area, should they? What a horrid time of year for all this to happen to her..... Has she tried approaching her Methodist pastor and telling him about her situation? Yeah, the real estate ownership is going to be a big problem in getting help through any government/community service group. Has she no family who can help? New Jersey Conference: 609-392-7131 (Unfortunately the offices are probably off for the holidays, but you could try the #) Quote Pam Meddle Not In the Affairs of Dragons; for You Are Crunchy and Taste Good with Ketchup. If we all sang the same note in the choir, there'd never be any harmony. Funny, isn't it, how we accept Grace for ourselves and demand justice for others?
Neil D Posted December 31, 2008 Posted December 31, 2008 I don't know about these things....I am programed to help, but I can not.... can she transfer the ownership of the property to her children while she remains in custody of the kids? Then legally, she is not an owner of the property, but she can still sell it. I know there are legal ramifications for this, and I am no lawyer....I know she has no money, but if she can scrape up the money, get the legal documents, she can get the help she needs. Again, I am no lawyer, and dont know if this can help.... Quote Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve. George Bernard Shaw
Members rudywoofs (Pam) Posted December 31, 2008 Members Posted December 31, 2008 That's a good idea Neil. But maybe transferring the property to another adult member of the family or friend (who wouldn't take advantage of the situation). But, like Neil, I'm no lawyer, so I don't know what legal ramifications she might run in to. Quote Pam Meddle Not In the Affairs of Dragons; for You Are Crunchy and Taste Good with Ketchup. If we all sang the same note in the choir, there'd never be any harmony. Funny, isn't it, how we accept Grace for ourselves and demand justice for others?
cricket Posted December 31, 2008 Posted December 31, 2008 How long is the drive from your place to hers? I know that some parts of Virginia are rather far from some parts of New Jersey (10 1/2 hours), but some distances are "do able" (3 1/2 hours). Maybe you could take a day to make the drive from Virginia to New Jersey to at least help her get her Christmas presents for the kids. If nothing else, at least a friendly familiar face might help. Quote
Dottie Posted January 2, 2009 Posted January 2, 2009 There are several churches in the area. I was a member of Woodbury Church when I lived in Glassboro (next town over from Pitman). The people in Woodbury are usually very helpful. They helped me when I had a baby and one on the way and no husband available. There's also a church in Williamstown. Quote
Woody Posted January 2, 2009 Posted January 2, 2009 I am so sorry for your friend. But I suspect that more and more will be in this situation. My neighbor is in a similar situation. This lovely family has no heat. A few months back our church gave them $250 towards heating oil. But now they are out again and so are the church funds. These people are not members of our church but they are members of the largest Sunday keeping church in the area. However ... this big wealthy church has not helped them. I feel terrible ... we are not a a good financial situation. My online business has also suffered greatly with the economy. Our small church simply can't help every hurting family in the community. But, I hope that our church as a whole will focus on this need and try to find some way of helping those in need. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Stan Posted January 2, 2009 Posted January 2, 2009 Red.. What kind of online business? Think about having it in your signature... Quote If you receive benefit to being here please help out with expenses. https://www.paypal.me/clubadventist Administrator of a few websites like https://adventistdating.com
cricket Posted January 2, 2009 Posted January 2, 2009 7) No commercial messages, or spamming. Commercial links / messages are only allowed on your own personal profile page. Are signatures considered part of the profile page? Serious question here. I had a link in my signature, but moved it to the profile page because I thought I'd be breaking a rule. Quote
Moderators John317 Posted January 2, 2009 Moderators Posted January 2, 2009 That's a good point, cricket. I apologize for that oversight. I meant to include the signature as a place where you can have a commercial link. That will be changed so it's not a problem. It's been changed to: "7) No commercial messages, or spamming. Commercial links / messages are only allowed on your own personal profile page and on your signatures." Quote John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Liz Posted January 2, 2009 Posted January 2, 2009 Thanks John317. O.k. Uncle Red, make us a linky, so we can see what kind of online business you got. Quote For what will a man be profited, if he gains the whole world, and forfeits his soul? Mat. 16:26Please, support the JDRF and help find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes. Please, support the March of Dimes.
Woody Posted January 2, 2009 Posted January 2, 2009 Red.. What kind of online business? Think about having it in your signature... Thanks Stan. I sell old Ellen White books and also stamps online with Ebay. I mostly sell first edition. Speaking of Steps to Christ ... I sold one first edition for $135. But no more. The books have not been selling for much. I have to consider two things ... either Ellen White is not as popular in the last 6 months ... or the economy has tanked. Hmmm. What do you think? Oh. Recently in order to cut costs ... I had to drop my online store on Ebay. I continue to sell the Ellen White books but just don't have the store. So, I no longer have a link either. But if I do restore my store ... I will put the link in as you suggested. Thanks. Pray the economy will improve ... Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Woody Posted January 2, 2009 Posted January 2, 2009 Hey .... does description of what I do ... allow me to be called a colporteur? Guess I will have to look up the definition of the word. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Woody Posted January 2, 2009 Posted January 2, 2009 Colporteur ... "a peddler of books" Now you guys are going to call me a peddler of RED books. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Stan Posted January 2, 2009 Posted January 2, 2009 I believe i own adventistusedbooks.com Wondering if we could start a classified - type store with that... Quote If you receive benefit to being here please help out with expenses. https://www.paypal.me/clubadventist Administrator of a few websites like https://adventistdating.com
Stan Posted January 2, 2009 Posted January 2, 2009 i think i might own adventistEbooks.com as well Quote If you receive benefit to being here please help out with expenses. https://www.paypal.me/clubadventist Administrator of a few websites like https://adventistdating.com
Woody Posted January 2, 2009 Posted January 2, 2009 I believe i own adventistusedbooks.com Wondering if we could start a classified - type store with that... Hmm. Might like that idea. You could have an Antique/Collectible section for mine. Let me know the info if you are serious. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
rose_bowen Posted January 8, 2009 Author Posted January 8, 2009 So sorry for not responding! I have my settings set to notify me via email if someone responds to this, but for some reason, I never got any notices, so I assumed nobody answered. I'm a good ten hours from her (almost in North Carolina) so a trip up there wouldn't be of much help. Quote Web developer at Global Exposures since 1996.
rose_bowen Posted January 8, 2009 Author Posted January 8, 2009 Yes, I suspect this is going to become more of a problem as time passes. I also think if we put our collective heads together as believers, we can come up with some productive solutions to be a blessing in our community on a more consistent basis than storing old clothes and unwanted canned goods. Those who are the "working poor" don't usually qualify for any government assistance, which is really sad. But connected with an awesome infinitely creative Father, imagine what we could do... Quote Web developer at Global Exposures since 1996.
rose_bowen Posted January 8, 2009 Author Posted January 8, 2009 As for family helping, both parents are dead, her only sibling is disabled. I know she said the pastor posted something in the bulletin about her needing a car, but nobody responded to that. She was trying not to be despairing, but it's been a really long, hard road for her. And I thought about contacting the conference, but I don't want to turn this over to someone who won't follow through and take a personal interest in this little family. So often that happens with organizations. Sometimes on a big forum like this there's someone who knows someone in the area who would get acquainted and see what might be done. Just thought it was worth asking. Quote Web developer at Global Exposures since 1996.
rose_bowen Posted January 8, 2009 Author Posted January 8, 2009 Thanks, I will see if I can reach a live human being this time around. Honestly, everyone lives electronically anymore... LOL Quote Web developer at Global Exposures since 1996.
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