The Official Modest Needs Blog

Application of the Day: Death of Husband, Lack of Income

The Applicant of the Day is a recent widow who is mourning the death of her beloved husband, but also waiting benefits from the VA. The grief and stress has taken a toll on her health and her studies: she's a college student whose graduation has been put on hold:

I am recently widowed. My husband of 27 years passed away on June 2, 2011 in the VA hospital here in Chicago. He was a 100% disabled veteran from the Army. Our children now live on their own. I am not working now due to my disability, I receive SSA Disability because of my anxiety disorder, panic attacks and depression and have for quite some time. I held a job from the age of 16 years old up until I was not able to work anymore, when I turned 50 years old. My disability forces me to stay in my house because I am afraid all the time. When my husband was alive, he always went with me wherever I had to go. Now it is just me and Midnite (cat) and my memories. 

I am requesting help with payment of my electric bill. I cannot pay this bill because I do not have the money. I put in for my husband's death benefits with the VA, but so far I have not heard from them other than them telling me that they are still processing it. I do not get enough money to pay rent, electricity and my other monthly bills that I have. 

I am afraid all the time. I do not want to be in the dark, my food will spoil. I have been stressed out and hospitalized because of all pressure that is building up. l I do not know what to do. Sometimes my medication does not work, I have been failing in school and my graduation has been put on hold. 

This would be a blessing to know that there are people in this day and time that are still willing to help the down and out of this world. God bless them and their families.

You can invest in the life of this woman who lost her life partner by making a contribution to Modest Needs and using your points to vote we fund her request. All first time donors in this calendar year will have their gifts matched, so your small change can really go a long way in bettering this lady's life.

Saturday Matinee: Bill Gates on Finding the Best Way to Make a Difference

I'll be the first time admit that Bill Gates isn't the most engaging speaker on the planet, but the information discussed here is certainly worth your time:

Is the Unemployment Crisis Saddling You With More Work?

With the recession snatching a record number of jobs from the work force, those left in the ranks are having to take on the work of two or three people, even being saddled with tasks far outside the realm of their job description:

In this new era of the superjob, everyone does windows, and anyone who gripes about working too hard will hear an even hairier tale from the exec on the next bar stool. Emboldened by an unemployment crisis that's only now easing up, businesses of all sizes have asked employees to take on extra tasks that have little to do with their primary roles and expertise -- with engineers going on sales calls, accountants pitching in on customer service and chief financial officers running a division on the side. And some believe this shift is permanent, as the quickening pace of change demands more flexibility from everyone at the office.

Management consultant Rich Moran, whose clients have included Apple and AT&T, says employees will do whatever it takes to help their company compete: "Job descriptions are written in sand, and the wind is blowing."

Some workplace experts say the superjob is the logical next step in management's quest to make the workplace more cost efficient. The latest shift started when businesses redistributed the workload during the recession; last year's nascent recovery intensified the process. In a recent survey by Spherion Staffing, 53% of workers surveyed said they've taken on new roles, most of them without extra pay (just 7% got a raise or a bonus). Now that sales are picking up, there's even more work to do, but companies are reluctant to hire, say human-resources experts. Some are anxious about what the economic future holds, while others are seeing their profits increase now that their work forces are leaner.

As hard as it can be to keep up, employees can benefit from the trend. Research shows that many successful leaders grew the most through "stretch experiences," says Seymour Adler, a senior vice president at Aon Hewitt's talent-and-rewards practice. Still, even the most hard-nosed bosses know workers can be stretched only so far. Indeed, a recent survey from the Conference Board found that just 43% of Americans are satisfied with their job -- a record low.

Not only are people doing double or triple the amount of work they were doing before, many people are in positions they hate, but don't risk leaving due to the slim employment rates. Professionals who think they can just "go back to waiting tables" if they find themselves out of work quickly discover those restaurant roles are long since filled.

If you are employed, have you been tasked with more or different responsibilities than you are used to due to a cut in the work force? Share your story below.

[Photo by bark]

Application of the Day: Help This Mother Protect Her Kids

She is a single mother in Fallon, Nevada who is raising three boys, ages 12, 6 and 4 all on her own. She is in the process of divorce that is bringing with it enormous emotional and financial stress, but she is doing what she has to do to protect her sons from a life of drugs. Her health insurance was canceled in the divorce, which has left her with a whole new set of unexpected bills. 

She is seeking assistance under the Self-Sufficiency Grant, for individuals who can normally take care of all monthly expenses, with her rent. This one-time assistance would allow her to get caught up on expenses related to the divorce. 

This mom tells Modest Needs, 'I am afraid i will fail at supporting my children and their expectations...They rely on me to ensure that they are taken care of but without help I am unable to do so...I plan to be able to get this paid and be able to help myself so that I can afford it once I get the support those boys need.' 

If you'd like to invest in the wellbeing of this family of four, then please consider making a donation to Modest Needs and using your points to vote that we fund this request. Once this application has 100% of the points it needs, then we will immediately remit payment to her landlord for the amount of rent owed. And afterward you'll get a thank you note, written in her own words, expressing exactly how much your 'small change' changed their lives. 

Application of the Day: Help This Mother Protect Her Kids

She is a single mother in Fallon, Nevada who is raising three boys, ages 12, 6 and 4 all on her own. She is in the process of divorce that is bringing with it enormous emotional and financial stress, but she is doing what she has to do to protect her sons from a life of drugs. Her health insurance was canceled in the divorce, which has left her with a whole new set of unexpected bills. 

She is seeking assistance under the Self-Sufficiency Grant, for individuals who can normally take care of all monthly expenses, with her rent. This one-time assistance would allow her to get caught up on expenses related to the divorce. 

This mom tells Modest Needs, 'I am afraid i will fail at supporting my children and their expectations...They rely on me to ensure that they are taken care of but without help I am unable to do so...I plan to be able to get this paid and be able to help myself so that I can afford it once I get the support those boys need.' 

If you'd like to invest in the wellbeing of this family of four, then please consider making a donation to Modest Needs and using your points to vote that we fund this request. Once this application has 100% of the points it needs, then we will immediately remit payment to her landlord for the amount of rent owed. And afterward you'll get a thank you note, written in her own words, expressing exactly how much your 'small change' changed their lives. 

You are Not Alone in Your Generosity and Desire to Change

One of my favorite things about the Modest Needs microgiving model is that the more people who pitch it, the greater the difference that is made. It's fantastic that one not need be flush with cash to change a stranger's life for the better, especially when we all pitch in and work together.

You'll be delighted to know you are not alone. Not even close:

Social change is important to Americans and they are taking action.
Americans believe they can make the world a better place with their own actions (85%) and nearly all adults (92%) have taken action to engage in positive social change in the past year.

• 91% say it is important to society as a whole that individuals are involved in positive social change.
• 77% say it is important to them personally to be involved in positive social change.

Individuals and digital technology are the future of positive social change. 
Americans have a strong belief in their own power to effect change. Digital technology empowers individuals to engage in social change, making it easier and faster to get involved.

• Americans say they are most likely to get involved in social change in the future as individuals acting on their own or in informal groups (52%), and 43% believe that individuals will play a larger role in social change in the future.
• Nine out of 10 Americans (88%) agree that digital technology can turn interest in a cause into a movement more quickly than anything else.
• Americans believe that digital technology enhances social change by making it easier to do many things, particularly following news and events related to social change (79%) and increasing awareness about issues or needs (77%).

That's got to make you feel good about your fellow man. A little more empowered to take action.

Application of the Day: Help Disabled Woman "Be Part of Society Again"

This modest need, this modest request speaks for itself:

I am a disabled woman who lives alone. I have two grown children who live out of state with their families. I have to depend on people to help me getting to and from my doctor appointments as well as MRIs, x-rays and other appointments. I need Modest Needs's help to afford hand controls for my car so I can drive again. I have worked with a therapist to help me use my feet for driving, but we have not been able accomplish this. It would be so wonderful to be independent to be able to go not only to my appointments, but being able to go to the grocer again. If I could drive, it would be like a fresh new life.

I never expected to lose my ability to drive. I have MS and in addition I had back surgery recently. I am able to get alone with my Social Security, but I do not have the funds to purchase hand controls. I would like to get out of my home and feel like a part of society again.

I will be forever grateful to those who open their hearts to help the less fortunate. Hand controls will allow me to be independent to get to an appointment and when I recover from my back surgery, I do plan to be a volunteer where I can sit since I have trouble walking.

To make this request possible, just make a contribution to Modest Needs and use your points to vote that we fund this Application of the Day. And if you are a first time donor, your gift will be matched.

State by State Look at Recession Tolls

How has each state in the US fared since 1980, after which time two hard recessions rocked the nation? The Today Show website takes a look with an interactive map that shows some states rebounding, only to lose footing once again as the Great Recession took hold:

A new interactive map from The Associated Press shows in stark relief how some states gained ground in the fight against poverty, particularly during the economic boom times of the late 1990s and early 2000s, before backtracking over the past few years.

The graphic rendering of poverty data released by the U.S. Census last week also shows that some states are faring better than others when it comes to poverty. Still, not many states have escaped the recent economic malaise without some increase in the percentage of people struggling to make ends meet.

“There are very few places that haven’t been affected by the last two recessions,” said Scott Allard, associate professor at the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration and an expert on poverty.

Allard notes that some of the states dealing with highest rates of poverty also are struggling with severe budget issues, which may make it harder to help those in need.

“Many of the states that have some of the highest levels of poverty (are) struggling with making some of the most severe cuts to social programs,” he said.

View the results of your own state at the Today Show website.

Application of the Day: Caring for Parent with Recent Amputation

"I am married and my husband and I have a 3-year-old.  My mother is currently living with us temporarily after her right leg was amputated in April of this year due poor circulation caused by diabetes. She has been living with us since getting out of the hospital in May. Prior to my mother moving in, my husband lost his job, so we are no longer a two income family.

Since that time, it appears that our utilities bills have more than doubled, and I have not been able to keep up. This month's electric bill is over $600, and I need assistance. I am afraid that without help, our electric service will be disconnected, which would mean we would have to find somewhere else to stay until I could afford to pay the bill. If the service is disconnected, it will cause more money because I will probably have to pay a deposit before they would reconnect the electric service. My mother is on a dialysis machine at home, so we need the electric service. Additionally, the heat is very dangerous and could be harmful to my young son.

I am very worried and stressed out. This is not the only bill that has increased, but it is the one that I simply cannot afford to pay.  I have been robbing Peter to pay Paul and this time I just don't have enough money to juggle. I have considered professional counseling which I could get through my health insurance, but there is a copayment and I really don't have the extra to spare. And yes, my work is being affected.

This assistance would allow us to keep moving forward. I would not have to worry about any one of my family member's health failing more or suffering. I would be free to pay more on the other bills that I can afford. Words can not express the gratitude I would feel knowing that someone I don't know is willing to help me and my family. It would reaffirm the belief that I have that people do care and are willing to assist even in these difficult times."

Click to contribute.

"They are men and women, they are young and old."

Writer Michele Catalano, telling it like it is at her Tumblr blog "in the fade," hits a homerun with this spot-on portrait of poverty that reads to be read and repeated far and wide. Here's just a part, but it's best if you go read the whole thing, because it is a pretty powerful piece of writing:

They are men and women, they are young and old. They wear suits and ties or dresses bought at Lord & Taylor when they once had money to spare. They wear hand me downs and rag tag clothing. They carry their papers in leather briefcases left over from that job they used to have or carry everything they own in a plastic WalMart bag. They are young mothers and senior citizens. They are families whose kids play soccer and make the honor roll and families whose kids don’t go to school because they are living in a fleabag hotel room at the moment. 

They are people who have lost once lucrative jobs, whose houses are in foreclosure, who can’t find work because they have no experience and can’t get experience because they can’t find work. They are fresh out of college, already drowning in debt, unable to make this month’s rent and terrified of the sheriff knocking on their door. They are former business owners who lost everything when the economy went to hell. They are single parents struggling to raise their kids while working two menial jobs and getting no support from the other parent. They are people who were suddenly widowed or otherwise left alone. 

[...]

I’m talking about people in need. People who need a hand. People who deserve a hand.

They had jobs. They had homes. They had uneventful lives. Then something happened to shatter those lives and they find themselves about to lose their homes, their cars, their sense of security.

This is reality. This is the new truth. Poverty is not something "you know when you see." Not always. It's important to keep this in mind so we can remember to really listen, to really keep our eyes open and be ready to lend a hand to those who just might sink without it.

Be sure to go read the rest of Michele Catalano's post. She deserves your clicks, and this piece deserves your time.

[Photo by Alfonso Surroca]