(updated May 12, 2008)

I have been away from Aidpage, but not completely out of the picture. What I have I been up to?

I had been making many attempts to still get the word out about what I am doing, but I had not been received well at a couple places:

• Myspace kicked me off four times. The fourth time, I managed to keep the page running for a few months, and I logged in only to discover that I was removed once again. I am not sure what their reasoning was. It was a description of how I was helping others. I had helped many families through that page so it was very disappointing, and I lost track of people in line to receive help.
  
• I posted a page on Squidoo.com. and that page, too was removed after receiving a lot of criticism from members there. I wasnt asking for money; only describing how I was helping others. Apparently I seemed a little too good to be true or people just didnt believe me.

I HAVE been accepted with open arms at WishUponAHero.com. I am very active there under the name 'The Empty Hanger' Here is how I have helped and currently help others. To date, I have granted over 20 wishes, and more that is not tallied on the site.

• Sending cards for birthdays, encouragement, friendship, sympathy. That just costs a stamp!
• Offering advice on situations
• Sending books (via media mail)
• Sending spiritual literature (I returned to church in January accepting Jesus into my life)
  
• Sending small packages of clothes
• Sending coupons
• Sending school supplies
  
• Sending my old eyeglass frames to woman who cannot afford new ones. (current)
• Workiing on a HUGE giveaway starting May 1st for WUAH. (shipping covered by anonymous donor)
  

OTHER CHANGES

• 'The Empty Hanger' has been scaled back to a local operation. It was a difficult decision. Aside from what I do above, I still manage to provide packages of good usable clothing to persons in need. I find them at the local food pantry mostly, and word of mouth. Someone will email me at projectemptyhanger@mail2me.com, and we arrange a mutual public meeting place for the person's safety and mine. Its worked out pretty well, and I bypass shipping costs altogether. I do ask a lot of questions beforhand, because my genorisity has been taken advantage of on several occasions, and it is how I screen people. I find that those that are evasive are not being honest with me.
• I am considering turning over 'The Empty Hanger' as an outreach project at my church.

ADVOCACY

• Alzheimer's Awareness My dad passed away from the disease January 21st, 2008. He was diagnosed in 2003, and we watched this independant and strong man fight for a long time until we had to place him in a nursing home in 2006. It wiped us out financially and emotionally. I've currently been put into a position to help my mom who lost his pension (because she was not married to him when he retired). I use his likeness in many ways to help educate others about Alzheimer's. I am beginning an initiative for leglislation so that no other families should be forced into poverty for making the decision to place a totall dependant loved one into long-term care. You can view a video I made by visiting the following link: Alzheimer's Video
• NEW! I also have changed my dad's tribute page to one of an Alzheimer's Awareness subject matter. It is called: Alzheimer's: Know More. I have also created tshirts and other merchandice to raise funds to donate to my local Alzheimer's association.
  
• Go to the tribute page.
  

If your family is affected by this disease and need some advice or just to talk, please email me at projectemptyhanger@mail2me.com, and put 'Alzheimers' in the subject line.

Elaine, for all your help and support to 'The Empty Hanger'

Staff and Admin of Aidpage for your support

Everyone here who reads and takes interest in my little endeavor!

I'm having a rummage sale! (Updated May 12th)

Locally, my mobile home community is having a rummage sale at the beginning of June. I am hoping to raise enough money on my own so that I can use some of the proceeds to send out a few more packages. My family has been busily cleaning out the house and garage, and wow the treasures that we accumulate in a year.

If you live in the Northwest Indiana area, and are interested in learning more about my community's rummage sale, please don't hesistate to ask. I will be offering discounts to my local friends at Wish Upon A Hero, and I am offering the same here on Aidpages. For details, please ask.

Hi my name is Kaysha. I'm a single mom of two awesome, well behaved, respectful, bright, happy, exciting and adorable boys ages 11 & 7. (can you tell they are my everything:)

I work nights for an ambulance company. I need someone to watch my boys for me, 4 nights a weak. In exchange for childcare you will have your own Room Rent Free & Utilities Paid.

The hours I would need you are 5pm - 8:15am W, TH, FRI, & SAT. I would prefer a young female who goes to school &/or works full time during the day. I would also except a young single mom with one small child (like a yr. old or less) Cause I know how hard that can be :) Been there done that:)

Your responsibilities would be: feed them dinner if I haven't yet (I'll cook), encourage showering which they do independently, put to bed @ 9pm, wake them @ 6:45am, guide them through their am duties, feed them breakfast, & see them of to school(if I'm not home yet, I usually return @ 7:45 if things run on time @ work).

My boys need someone safe, responsible, reliable, consistent, & patient. I would like their nanny to agree to stay for 6 mons. or more. They have already had a nanny they were attached to who left them after 1 mon., they are still upset, understandably.

I demand that you be drug, alcohol. & smoke free. No exceptions. I just quit smoking, I am going on my 10th mon, smoke free, so no smokers please. I will have you take a urine test initially & periodically as needed.

If you think this would work for you or someone you know leave me a message :) Thanx

Hello my name is Amy and I am a single mom of three boys from Colorado.  I lost my job in April due to witnessing a near drowning of a small child last summer which led to severe PTSD and panic disorder.  I got to the child first and she was blue and foaming at the mouth and I was unable to perform CPR even though I knew it, I just froze.  We are about to be kicked out of our house, and have shut off notices for everything.  I have tried everything I can think of to get a loan but to no avail.  I have raised my boys on my own and have been through two very abusive relationships and am no longer in them.  I had a very good job but could not keep it due to the stress of the job on top of the many panic attacks I had per day.  I just need some help, I am willing to pay you back with interest.  The story is much longer than this but I will end it here for now.  Thank you in advance - Amy - Grand Junction, CO

I like to do volunteer work and help with children that lack basic needs.  I love children, but have none of my own.  I have helped out several single parent familes around the holidays for the past few years.  I've found that some families need ongoing help all year and not just at the holiday season.  I have been a public school employee for 22 years, and serve on a local church board.  I prefer to help someone directly without going through an organization.  I've done volunteer work before for organizations and was surprised at how much of the donated funding was spent on administrative expenses, and how little went to the recipients.   I really like the concept of Aidpage. 

more about me?  I have been in school for the last 10 years.  When your a single mom it's impossible to work full time and be a mom (well, a good one anyway).  We were getting by and doing well until last April, when I was hit by a drunk driver.  I won't get into the details of my injuries, but there are several.  At the beginning of the fall semester I went full time (internet courses) and did really well .  We were able to get by on savings and I got the Pell, loans, and Food Stamps....but the savings is gone.  It is vital to my family that I complete my degree.  Companies say that they comply with the disability act, but the reality is that if two people that are equally qualified apply for the same position and one of the applicants suffers from a disability...the odds aren't in their favor.  I need to be a major asset to my future employer and the only way to do that is to complete my education.

Hi! I am a single Mom to 2 boys.

I was laid off 3 months ago, after 9 years with the same company. I've had a difficult time finding employment that fits in with the need for caring for my kids, but I am still looking. If I can't find anything that makes it possible to be with my sons at nights or at least one weekend day, I will have to bite the bullet and take almost anything.

I am doing rather well on keeping everything paid up, but.....

We got hit with those dreaded unexpected bills last month. I used 2 months car payments for fixing the house AC unit. But now it looks like I will lose the car. I have spoken with the finance company and because I re-financed the loan they state they are not in any position to help. Also, if I don't lose the car I'm looking at repairs on it-Master brake cylinder, front brakes and repairs to fix the power steering leak (About $1000. according to the car dealership repair shop.)

Does anyone know where I could possibly get help?

Thanks

     I am intersted in social justice, consider myself to be an ethically concerned person, love my children, sunshine, and books. I like to listen to Bob Dylan and donate household items and clothing to local charities. Sometimes I'm able to send a little cash to a good cause. I'm simple and do not desire material success, only the success of knowing I'm contributing to the betterment of society and able to provide for my children.

I AM A SINGLE MOM OF TWO.  I HAVE SPINA BIFIDA AND WORK FULL TIME AND GO TO SCHOOL FULL TIME.  I AM VERY MOTIVATED BY MY CHILDREN TO MAKE A BETTER LIFE FOR US.  I NEED HELP.  I AM IN COLUMBUS WITH NO FAMILY AND I FEEL ALL ALONE.  I GUESS OUT OF SITE OUT OF MIND.  I MOVED HERE FROM CHICAGO WHEN I WAS 10 WITH MY PARENTS SINCE THEN MY DAD HAS DIED AND MOM IS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND, I AM NOW 34. ME AND MY CHILDREN DIDNT HAVE THANKSGIVING DINNER AND WONT HAVE CHRISTMAS BECAUSE I NEED MONEY DESPERATLY.  I EMPTIED OUT MY RETIREMENT TO GET MY HOME OUT OF FORECLOSURE NOW MY PAYMENTS ARE SO HIGH I CAN ONLY PAY RENT AND NOTHING ELSE.  I AM SO TIRED OF LIVIN PAY CHECK TO PAY CHECK. I TYPED INTO MY COMPUTER "I NEED MONEY" AND FOUND THIS SITE.  IF THERE IS ANYONE OUT THERE THAT CAN HELP ME PLEASE DO.  IF I COULD I WOULD RETURN THE FAVOR.  I JUST NEED A BREAK.  MY BILL RIGHT NOW ADD UP TO 7000 DOLLARS.  THAT IS RENT THAT I AM ALMOST BEHIND IN AND ALL OTHER UTILITIES THAT ARE READY TO BE SHUT OFF.  I DONT QUALIFY FOR AID BECAUSE I MAKE TOO MUCH BUT WHEN I SAT DOWN TO CREATE BUDGET MY BILLS ARE MORE THAN I MAKE AND AS FAR AS SCHOOL NEXT QUARTER I DONT KNOW WHERE THE MONEY IS COMING FROM.  PLEASE HELP ANYONE I AM DESPERATE AND I DONT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO.

Hello,

I am a 24 year old single mom here is Balch Springs , Texas. I am needing help with gifts and groceries this year for Christmas. My daughter turned 3 years old in August and is not picky at all. Winter clothes are needed very badly. Toys are not a necessity. Please let me know if there is anyone oput there who can help. Thanks and Have a Great Day!

I am a single mom and interested in going back to school, but need financial assistance. 

Hi..if anyone out there has any thoughts on how I can get some help to pay for living expenses while in school please HELP!!! I am receiving Pell and loans, but it's not enough to even come close to live on. I am a 28 year old single Mom  with a 5 year old son.  In April, I was hit by a drunk driver and hurt very badly.  Although, I am recovering, I have a lot of limitations and can't work.  Finishing my education has become more crucial for us then ever before.  Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. 

Hello all those within the aidpage world.  I originally started this website with hopes of getting help for Christmas.  Christmas went great.  I did not receive any help but managed to come up with some ideas of my own, which included working heavy hours at my second job to help. 

 My children are all teenagers 14, 16, and 17.   At the time of our unexpected abandonment by their father my children were 6, 8 and 9.  It has been a very long, hard road.  The courts are very challenging and expensive when it comes to collecting child support.  To my surprise I was informed that temporary assistance was not an option since the child support that I do not get is considered income since it is court ordered.  Therefore, according to the state, I make too much money.  Would'nt that be nice.....This is a very messed up system.  But, I can hold my head up high knowing that I managed to keep a roof over their heads and food in their stomachs.  We are definitely not living on easy street.  Teenagers are much more expensive.  Once they are legal to drive the insurance for an auto triples.   I am now going to school full time as well as working 2 jobs.  This can be challenging but it works.  Any extras are always a blessing. 

I would like to take steps to change the way that the help is processed within my state anyway.  I am assuming they are the same all over.  If anyone has any ideas please respond.  Our kids deserve the right to a happy life with all the things they deserve and would have with two responsible parents.

It is very hard to ask for help because I am so used to being able to take care of my children and myself alone.  Unfortunately, over the past couple of months my father has grown ill with cancer.  I have 3 children, 2 boys and a girl.  We are trying to make it but it is very hard for us.  I had to take off work to get my father back and forth to his radiation and chemo treatments which he receives his chemo only weekly but his radiation is daily.  Over the weekend my truck broke down and now it is parked in our driveway.  I have to have rent paid by Tuesday and now I have a broken down truck.  I just need some help to get back on my feet before I sink completely.  I have all the documentation to prove I'm legit in everything I am saying. Please, if you have any ideas for help I would appreciate it.  I live in Indiana.  If only your prayers then that would be great.

Thanks so much for your time!..............Lost-in-Indiana

I am desperate to be self supportive and financially stable by my own hand. Single mother with no way to get ahead. I have just downsized and bought a smaller house and am very interested in the idea of buying, fixing and making them more energy efficient and selling houses. I have access to lots of proffessional construction small businesses and would love to churn economic life into area. I need to invest in a couple of houses in order to get this ball rolling. Then it should sustain itself if all goes as planned. Any help on investment capital or grants availability. Thanx  

I'm a single mom of two boys who are 5 and 2.  I work full time as a marketing assistant but recieve no child support from their father.  I recently had to move out of my two bedroom apartment into my sister's one bedroom apartment.  Even though I no longer have to pay rent, I've gotten so far behind on bills that it's looking near impossible to get on my feet again any time soon.  I'm not looking for a hand out just a lift up.  I work very hard to take care of my boys.  Things have become so difficult lately that I'm having a hard time putting gas in my car and buying groceries.

I graduated with my Associates Degree in Political Science and want to continue schooling as soon as I have my financial situation back under control.  I hope that someone out there will appreciate my efforts and hard work.

Thank you so much for your consideration and time. 

I am a mother of a beautiful 8 month old baby boy.  Recently my sons father got into some trouble with the law, and was deported to mexico. He will not be coming back for a while, if ever. I dont get anything from him since hes gone. I am on welfare, but its not enough to take care of a baby and mysef. When he was deported, i had only the money i get from welfare coming in, which was not nearly enough to pay for our appartment.. I had no place to go..my father who lives in a senior mobile home community allowed me to move in with him temporarialy..because it is against the rules for me and the baby to live with him. Janurary 15th is my last day here. I am saving everything i can but its not going to be enough for security deposit and rent. What i need is help with a cheap appartment, mobile home....or if there is someone out there willing to rent a room to me and my baby..please let me know. Also..since i am saving money for our move..i am unable to buy anything for my son for christmas. I do realise he is to young to understand..but i understand..and it hurts thinking that , for my sons first christmas he will not be getting any gifts. If you can help...he is 8 months old..and he needs clothes (size 9-12 month), toys, shoes (size 2-3),  or anything that you would be willing to help me with. I dont care if its used..I only care that there will be somthing 'new' for him this christmas.

please help.

Tiffany

 
My name is Michele Wells. I am attending a community college to obtain my Associate Degree in Computerized Information Technology. I am a part-time student.
When I decided to purchase my home, my main concern was keeping my children out of public housing. I had no clue it would be this hard to maintain it. I am now considering selling my home and finding somewhere to rent because I can not afford to maintain my home.
I have checked into the Weatherization Program, USDA Rural Development, Community Grants, Community Action Agency, searched the internet for grant money, and called several offices in Montgomery only to come up empty handed. All of these programs are for low-income, disabled senior citizens. There seems to be no help available for people like me who don't depend on the government totally to survive.
My question is: Are there any grants to help single working parents who can afford a house payment but can not afford the repair and maintenance on the home?

 
Sincere Thanks,
Michele Wells

hi, my name is trish. i am a single mom soon to be going back to school full time to be an esthetition. which mainly has to do with skin care. this is something that i have been wanting to persue for many years now. its a 5 month program, mon - thurs full days. now being a single mom and having a young child it seemed impossible, well at least hard to do, having to get daycare, and transpertation for her to and from school, i couldnt afford all that plus school. it was just easier putting it off...til now, she is 15 ..i need no sitter, and most of her friends drive, so that makes it much easier for me to go ahead with schooling. the only thing im worried about now is paying for expenses while im in school, i can work part time, but not to many hrs considering my daughter is at home, the loans i got accepted for are just barely paying for tuition, and the books and kit i need for the class. what im asking is if anyone has any advise for me, or knows of any other options i have out there to get some more money to live on while im in school.

I really thank god for this site. I am a working mom of 2. My job with VERIZON , did not pay me in the month of april so i did not go back after april 20TH. I have been speaking with different people ther, and the hiring agency KELLY SVCS. I even called the dept. of labor to file a wage claim and that takes a while. This has become an overwhelming situation and now my kids and I have no problem catching the bus in our area even though it only comes every 2-3 hours. Please someone or place, help us. I need to pay 1100$. I was 3 mos behind with chrysler and every month before then I paid on time. I have having a hard time finding another job since I cant get to an interview on time with this crazy bus schedule that PACE has created. PLEASE if someone can find it in their hearts. Please. We do have other situations, but they are more manageable than this.I PRAY I PRAY I PRAY.I only have 7 more days from today JULY 31.