“I can’t do this alone”

"I can't do this alone."

That's what our neighbor said through tears the first time she stepped through the door to Casa Unidos. She, her husband and her son had severe disabilities due to untreated diabetes because they had been uninsured and lacked access to medical care until last year. Unemployed, recovering from surgeries, food insecure and depressed, she hit a wall and realized she had to reach out for help. "I never wanted charity; I want to provide for myself," she said.

Instead of charity, at Casa Unidos she found new friends who held her hand, shared the resources they know about, got her connected to the Family Resource Center and other services for disabled adults including physical therapy, counseling, diabetes training and transportation. A resident leader told her, "I told you my story over breakfast; you know that I often can't sleep because of the grief and stress I'm dealing with. Call me in the middle of the night if you want to! You're not alone."

Our new friend said she's so glad she had the courage to come to us. "This is a beautiful community," she said. "You'll be seeing me regularly from now on."