First Fruits Friday - A Small Act, A Huge Difference

Most of the time, when a mom in her desperation makes an appointment to the death facility next door, it is because they are in a financial crisis. The economic struggle is so very real in our community.

Fortunately, there are a good number of different organizations who help. Many of them are Christian organizations who inspire their mission in our Lord’s command, “Love one another; as I have loved you.” But the need in our community is so big, especially now. There are waiting lists for almost all kinds of assistance. It is a challenge.

Connecting mothers in crisis with agencies that can give them the support they need is something we do as part of Case Management at Seneca. We help them make appointments, direct them on how to apply, and connect them with different resources in our community. But lately there has been a new challenge: The gas!

In order for these mothers to get the needed help, they must go in person. Whether it is to go for a job interview, GED classes, apply for utilities assistance, seeking childcare or prenatal care, etc., all of them require attending to appointments.  This means losing hours of pay at work which would otherwise help pay for gas.

Thankfully, at Seneca we have some gas cards which we have used to help mothers who didn't have gas to attend to critical appointments. Yesterday, we used our very last gas card for a mom who, after applying for several jobs, got a position in a plant in West Point. Getting that job was a big accomplishment for her! But, she had to go to orientation in person and she had exhausted her resources. With no family or friends who could help, that gas card we gave her was such a big blessing to her. She was able to go to orientation and started her job today!

These moms are doing their part and they are trying to make things work for their new babies.  They just need a little help  - and that is what we do! As soon as they come through our doors, we tell them:

“You are not alone.”

Please consider donating gas cards to Seneca! Gas cards can make a big difference as they allow moms in crisis to get the help they need.