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Maverick’s Families in Crisis Support Fund
Report April 1, 2008 – September 30, 2008

Completed by: The Children’s Link Society

History:

The Children’s Link Society through out their history have often needed to support families who are experiencing crisis and are in desperate need of a small amount of funding in order to meet the basic needs of their families. Many of the families in this situation have been extremely resourceful (i.e.… utilizing the support of family members, other organizations, and other funding options) and yet have exhausted all other possible options for funding.

Due to the apparent need for families to have access to funds that would be able to provide a small amount of money, whose use was flexible to meet their needs. The Children’s Link Society approached the Maverick’s in the spring of 2003 to discuss the possibility of establishing a Family Support Crisis Fund. The fund would be utilized to support families that were in a crisis and that a small amount of funding would have a large impact on their lives. As well, the dollars being provided to families would be a one time disbursement with the intention that the families plan and set up continued supports so they would be able to continue their lives in a positive direction.

The Maverick’s approved the “Maverick’s Families in Crisis Support Fund” and allocated an annual budget of $10,000. The fund was to be administered by the Executive Director of The Children’s Link Society in consultation with the Chair of the Maverick’s.

The process for application was developed and included eligibility criteria. Although criteria was established the goal was to ensure that flexibility was still maintained when administering the funds. The following is the eligibility criteria:

1. Family MUST have a child with special needs.
2. Family should be involved with The Children’s Link Society.
3. Other funding options have been explored and exhausted.
4. Funding being provided should not be more than $500 - $1,000.
5. A written summary from the family describing the family, their needs, the impact the Maverick’s Family in Crisis Support fund will make on their family.
6. Family should be willing to give back to The Children’s Link Society in a way in which the family identifies. This also can be done by support workers involved with the family.

Families Supported by the “Maverick’s Families in Crisis Support Fund”

During this reporting period, the Maverick’s Families in Crisis Support Fund provided financial support to 18 families including 7 crisis referrals from the Cardiology Unit at the Alberta Children’s Hospital. The requests ranged from transportation and gas vouchers, to rent, childcare, and equipment. Each of these families had unique needs and challenges that were impacted and improved by our ability to provide them with a minimal amount of funding.

1. A
A is a 21 year old young man with developmental delays who came to be known at Children’s Link Society through Jan and Angie Mason. A was friends with Jan’s son. A had been living on the streets for about four years and staying at various friends’ homes for periods of time. He had no stable residential environment and was estranged from his family. Through support from Children’s Link, A was able to complete applications for AISH and Columbia College and he was successful in securing a supported roommate. The Maverick’s Families in Crisis Fund assisted A to have his dental needs met, purchase a bus pass and pay for his first months’ rent. With the support and attention that A required, he was able to move on to new chapters in his life with a greater sense of well being and esteem.
Total funded amount: $1066.00

2. N
N is a single mom of two children with disabilities. During the summer months she was unable to find childcare for her children while she was at work. N had a friend who was willing to care for the children however she was unable to compensate her. Crisis Fund dollars were provided to N to help pay the friend for taking care of her children.
Total funded amount: $160.00

3. S
S is a single mom of three children. Her youngest son has cognitive delays and ADHD. S lives in Calgary Housing and due to certain financial circumstances, was unable to pay her rent for the month of July. The Crisis Fund provided the money that S required to ensure her financial obligations were taken care of.
Total funded amount: $389.50

4. A
A is a single mom of two children with disabilities. A is has been unable to maintain full time employment however volunteers at her children’s school at the One World Child Development Centre through CUPS. For the past several months, CUPS has been paying her rent and although that is extremely helpful for this family, there are a few bills that have accumulated that A has been unable to pay. The Crisis Fund was used to support A by purchasing TELUS cell phone vouchers (no house phone), grocery vouchers and by paying her Enmax bill.
Total Amount Funded: $773.35

5. J
J is the single caregiver of her young granddaughter who is in the process of being diagnosed with a disability. Due to the emotional demands of this young girl, J has been on a leave of absence from her job. Further complicating this family’s crisis has been the deaths of three immediate family members within a six month time frame (which has precipitated the need for J to care for her granddaughter) Due to the change in her income situation, J required assistance to pay rent for the month of May. The Crisis Fund provided money to help J and her granddaughter so they could concentrate on healing and moving forward.
Total Amount Funded: $850.00

5. Y
Y and his wife have a 3 year old son in Canada and a 5 year old son who lives in Turkey with his grandparents. Their 3 year old was born with San Filippo Syndrome so the family moved to Canada seeking better treatment for their son. The father found employment in Edmonton and the mother and son lived in Calgary where medical treatment could be accessed more readily. Over the course of the several months, the son’s health deteriorated and a transplant was necessary; the father lost his job as well as his residential arrangement in Edmonton and they needed to sell their possessions in order to pay bills. As a result they quickly found themselves in very dire financial circumstances. The stress and concern for their son while they waited for the transplant became all consuming for this family. While they still had an apartment in Calgary, they had little else. Therefore, the Crisis Fund was used to help this family by paying for one month’s rent and to supply them with a Wall-Mart gift card for food and clothing.
Total Amount Funded: $1,549.00

6. L
L and her husband have three children; two with special needs. The parents have had very low income and a difficult time paying bills in the last several months. The father has been enrolled in trade school and has graduated however needed to purchase tools for his trade in order to get hired at a workplace. The Crisis Fund was able to help out this family by assisting them catch up on their bill payments.
Total Amount Funded: $1,150.00

7. J
J and her husband have two birth children under the ages of 5 years old and three foster children under the ages of 10. J’s 21 month old daughter had been having significant heart complications and they were spending long periods of time at the Children’s Hospital awaiting diagnosis and treatment. J initially contacted Children’s Link because her stroller which contained her purse was stolen from the Children’s Hospital. The Crisis Fund money was used to purchase a new stroller, and to pay for the replacement of the children’s birth certificates which were stolen with the purse. Due to the daughter’s illness, the father had missed many days of work therefore the family was behind with bills and payments therefore funds were also used to cover the cost of an overdue Enmax bill. The second time the family contacted Children’s Link; their daughter had been admitted to ICU and was rapidly deteriorating due to the severity of her medical condition. The young girl was listed as palliative was not expected to return to the family home. The parents were obviously exhausted, worried and grieving such that the father was unable to work and the mother was unable to care for the foster children that were in the home and was struggling to meet the needs of their other natural child. Their income was significantly compromised so the Crisis Fund was accessed to assist this family to purchase food and gas vouchers, hospital parking passes and the staff at Children’s Link assembled a “care package” for the parents while they were in the hospital with their terminally ill daughter.
Total Amount Funded: $1,579.14

8. R
R is a single mom of three children with special needs ranging in age from 7 to 10 years old. R attends school full time and is required to attend her program consistently to ensure successful completion and ongoing funding by the sponsor. R’s youngest required care while away from school for 2 weeks and R had secured a friend to stay with child until she returned home from her program. Since this friend had taken time off from her own work to help, R wanted to compensate her for the time and effort. The Crisis Fund was accessed to help R provide a contribution to her friend for caring for her child.
Total Amount Funded: $150.00

9. A
These parents have a one month old son who has been diagnosed with a life threatening heart condition that requires emergency surgery in Edmonton. The father is employed at a warehouse and the mother stays at home caring for their ill son. The father had been absent from his job following the son’s birth and subsequent medical diagnosis which resulted in a significantly reduced paycheck. The small amount that the family received from the employer was used for necessities for the baby and groceries. This family has been resourceful in accessing other financial assistance however made a request to Children’s Link for funds to cover an outstanding utilities bill and an amount owing for rent.
Total Amount Funded: $782.76

10. R
R has been a part of the newest Children’ Link service; the Transition Program. R is physically disabled and cannot work due to his compromised physical condition. He receives a pension of less than $500.00 per month from Alberta Works. In recent weeks, his health has been deteriorating and he is required to travel via public transport to and from medical appointments. Due to his low income, he is struggling to cover the increased costs of his transportation needs. The Crisis Fund was used to purchase a pack of bus tickets for R.
Total Amount Funded: $40.00

Total: $8,489.25

ACH Cardiology Referrals:

1. L Family
The mother of this Calgary family was pregnant with child with a significant heart condition that required surgery immediately following birth. The mother was to give birth at the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton to facilitate the necessary and lifesaving surgery. This family has 2 other children at home and although the father is working, their income is minimal and as such, there are no extra funds to pay for accommodations in Edmonton for the father while the mother gives birth and the child has the surgery. The Alberta Children’s Hospital requested money from The Mavericks Families in Crisis Fund to cover the cost of the hotel room at the Travelodge while this family stayed in Edmonton.
Total Amount Funded: $1579.14

2. A Family
This family is originally from Sudan and are permanent residents in Canada. The mother speaks only their native language and the father speaks some English. This family supports themselves with a student loan while the father attends classes at Mount Royal College. These parents have a 5 month old son with a rare genetic condition known as Klippel-Feil Syndrome. As is typical with this condition, the child has severe medical needs including the requirement for heart surgery. The Crisis Fund was used to provide this family with the needed financial support for accommodation and meals while in Edmonton for their son’s surgery and recovery.
Total Amount Funded: $1,143.23

3. H Family
The H family has emigrated from Vietnam and has been living in Canada for two years. They have a 5 month old son with a severe heart condition that required immediate surgery at the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton. The father was a successful businessman in Vietnam however is struggling to obtain employment in Canada in his field of work due to language barriers therefore the family supports themselves with the Child Tax Credit. The mother has been at home caring for her ill child. There are 2 other children in the family who are being cared for by extended family during this time of crisis. The Crisis Fund was accessed to help this family by providing accommodations and food so the family could stay in Edmonton during their son’s surgery.
Total Amount funded: covered by other sources

4. S Family
This family has a 5 year old child and an infant boy who was born with a severe heart condition requiring surgery. They reside in a Calgary Housing unit and have had significant financial struggles. The father works full time at a minimal paying job however due to the stress and hardships surrounding his young son, he has missed many days of work. As a result, this family uses the Food Bank and Child Tax Credit for their necessities. Since this baby required surgery in Edmonton, the Crisis Fund was used to assist this family with gas vouchers, lodging, and food during their stay.
Total Amount Funded: $1000.00

5. S Family
This family has been awaiting heart surgery for their infant son. Their son had been treated at the Alberta Children’s Hospital for several weeks prior to surgery and as a result the mother has had to quit her job. The father is a truck driver and makes a regular income however their resources are stretched due to the medical needs of their son. As such, they are in need of some financial assistance for their stay in Edmonton while their son undergoes surgery and recovery. Thanks to the Crisis Fund, the family was able to stay at the Travelodge in Edmonton while their son received the medical attention he required.
Total Amount Funded: $660.00

6. S Family
The 10 year old son in this single parent family required surgery in Edmonton for a pacemaker. The mother had recently left the abusive relationship with the child’s father and as a result found herself safe but financially compromised. The ex-husband has been inconsistent in his child support payments so the mother has had to rely on extended family to assist her financially. The mother requested support from the Crisis Fund to pay for accommodations and travel to Edmonton for her son’s surgery.
Total Amount Funded: $585.00

7. S Family
The 9 year old daughter of this family was transported from the Emergency Department of the Alberta Children’s Hospital to the Stollery Children’s Hospital for lifesaving heart surgery. Due to the nature of this child’s condition, the surgery had to be immediate therefore the family was not able to financially prepare for the consequences of this situation. The father was required to take time off work without pay, and with no extra funds, this family was concerned about their financial obligations at home and the requirements for a stay in Edmonton. The Crisis Fund was used to provide financial support to this family for lodging and food while they were with their child for this critical surgery.
Total Amount Funded: $900.00

Total: $5867.37

Summary

The Ronald MacDonald House (RMDH) in Edmonton has been closed for renovations since April 2008. RMDH has negotiated with The Travelodge to offer a discounted rate to families that would have normally utilized RMDH for accommodation while receiving medical services from Stollery Children’s Hospital. Until the renovations are complete, we anticipate many more referrals for accommodation requirements for families experiencing medical emergencies. Along with the need for lodging, families also need funds for transportation and meals while their loved one is receiving medical care, and the Crisis Fund has been sufficient in providing for these needs as well. In October 2008, the Mavericks generously added an additional $6000.00 to the existing balance based on the growing need for these funds. Between April 2008 and September 2008, seven families received benefit from the Maverick’s Families in Crisis Fund.

The Children’s Link Society has been successful in responding in a quick and expedient manner to meet the financial needs of families experiencing many kinds of crisis. The Maverick’s Families in Crisis Support Fund has been used repeatedly to provide relatively small yet important and significant amounts of money to families in need. The staff at Children’s Link often hears that families, who are requesting these funds, feel that they have no hope left and that they have nowhere else to turn. Their feelings of desperation and isolation are real and being given the opportunity for some financial relief and solution often causes a swell of emotion and gratitude. With the gift of financial aid, the stress and worry of their child’s illness subsides and allows them to focus on recovery and healing. We, at Children’s Link, are the fortunate recipients of kind and appreciative words from these families; we are honored to respond to their needs by offering financial aid and we wish to thank the Maverick’s for entrusting their funds to our discretion.