Graciela visited Taller de José because she had just been laid off. There’s never a good time to lose one’s job, but right before the holidays is probably one of the worst times. By the time she came to Taller, Graciela had already found new temporary work, but she wasn’t going to be able to start until January. As a single mother of three children, Graciela couldn’t afford to wait that long for new income, and her landlord was threatening to give her an eviction notice.
Graciela met with a compañera who was able to connect Graciela with a organization that provides short-term financial assistance, exactly what Graciela needed to pay the rent for December. In addition, the compañera also helped Graciela find another agency that would provide the children with winter coats. Graciela was so relieved that her children had what they needed to weather the Chicago winter and that the family would be able to celebrate Christmas in their own home, without fear of being evicted. The compañera was grateful for the assistance of other organizations that helped to bring light and peace to Graciela’s family during a dark and difficult time.
