Mrs. B
She is alone, scared and confused.
Her constant fear is not being able to survive. She spends every moment worrying about how she will pay her bills, find the money for her prescriptions and feed her dogs. Her four scruffy canines are her only family and her protection form the daily challenges in her impoverished neighborhood. At 90, Ms. B is still incredibly independent and struggles to remain in her family home. It is a dilapidated wooden structure with holes in the floor, no heat and in serious need of plumbing.
Yet, she still smiles and says she is blessed. See, Ms. B has a friend who checks in on her regularly, makes certain she has enough food so she does not have to divide her daily Meals-On-Wheels container between her dogs and herself. Her friend also takes her to the store, doctor visits, and sees to it that she always has her basic necessities. There are many more stories just like Ms. B's. Many are much sadder, but they all have the same special friend.
Interfaith Elderly Outreach (IEO) was established in August 1992 as a social ministry of Resurrection Catholic Missions. The program helps to keep seniors independent and remaining in their homes. Otherwise most would be homeless.
Through the existence of Resurrection Catholic Missions' Interfaith Elderly Outreach program they are not forgotten. Today IEO regularly looks after over 100 poor elderly men and women. We provide clothing, bedding, home repairs, even Christmas gifts(the only ones they get) as well as Valentine's Day flowers.
Sadly though, the need is so great that we are forced to turn away far more people than we serve. Our phone rings all day with requests for help, yet our program functions on a shoestring budgetr. Salena Moore, director of the program says, "I believe in my heart that God truly does place people where He needs them most." Salena, who is a licensed social worker, takes what she does to heart. "This is not my job, it is my calling", she adds. "I was meant to do this work and I go home everyday heartbroken but fulfilled and grateful that God has entrusted me to look out for those precious elderly ladies and gentlemen." With tears in her eyes Mrs. Moore asks, "I know there is much need in the world today, but why are our own elderly, especially the very poor right here in our own country, always the most forgotten?"
Through your generosity, Ms. B and others who suffer the same plight will be able to live free of fear, not go hungry and have their medicines. But most of all, they will know that they are not forgotten because they have a new friend who also cares about them-- you!