As part of its more than $45 million in Covid-19 relief to date, UJA allocated emergency cash assistance to our nonprofit partners so they can help low-income single parents, college students, and immigrant workers who face daunting challenges during the Covid-19 crisis. We’re sharing a letter our partner the YM&YWHA of Washington Heights & Inwood received from a single mom, whom the Y recently assisted with financial aid. 

Hello,

I cannot express how much I appreciate your help and support. I truly do not know where we would be without it.

I’m a divorced, single mom of my seven-year-old daughter. Sadly, I was laid off because of the Covid-19 crisis. It’s been challenging applying for unemployment insurance because the website and phone lines are overwhelmed with the sheer number of applicants. I worried about paying bills and putting food on the table, with no end in sight.

I worried about what long term effects we’re going to live with going forward. I’m questioning if we’ll ever return to the normalcy we were so used to — like taking our children to the playground so they can just be kids and play. I worry when we’ll be able to send our children back to school, and when we can return to work. So many of us have these questions. Yet feeding my daughter and keeping a roof over her head is now no longer one of my worries because of the incredible generosity the Washington Heights Y has shown us.

Words are not strong enough to express the extent of my gratitude.

My most sincere thank you,

Alice*

*Name changed to protect privacy