Their daughter was born three months early. Season of Sharing Fund got them back on their feet.

Jaime and Alejandra Ramirez's daughter Maria was born prematurely at 26 weeks and she had to stay in the hospital for over a year. During that time, Jaime's work dried up, the family depleted all of their savings and they worried about how they were going to pay their rent. Their landlord suggested they call 2-1-1. That's how they found out about Season of Sharing Fund, which was able to help with two months rent.

During those two months, Jaime was able to find a new job...and is now a donor to Season of Sharing Fund. ----

SHARING STORIES is a series of portraits of people in the Bay Area who have received one-time emergency rental assistance from Season of Sharing Fund. I have been working with them for two years on their podcast.

Rental assistance programs like Season of Sharing Fund are there for people when a month or two of rent can make the difference between staying in their home or becoming unhoused. Ultimately, rental assistance programs help prevent homelessness.

If you or someone you know in the Bay Area has experienced an unforeseen crisis and could benefit from one-time financial assistance from the Season of Sharing Fund, learn how to apply. If you are not in the Bay Area, you can always call 2-1-1 for local assistance.

If you want to hear more stories from people who benefited from this safety net, subscribe now wherever you listen to podcasts.

Thanks for listening. And have a safe and happy holiday.