Imagine that you are at home in your comfortable house. You are planning your next family vacation. Your child is playing happily on the kitchen floor, while the three other children are in their Jewish school. The doorbell rings and two men are standing there, a moving truck behind them, official papers in-hand, stating that your furniture is being taken and that you have a week to leave your home. I was clueless. For a decade my mind has been on what I saw and thought, not knowing that my life as I knew it was falling apart. Though it was many years ago, I can still feel my knees buckle when I remember that day. I was in shock. I didn’t know what to do.

My cousin told me that the Jewish community would help me. I walked into Ometz and was met by a social worker. She listened to my story with compassion and let me know that she and the agency were there to help me through my crisis. I had no savings and was completely dependent on my spouse financially. Unfortunately, he disappeared from the family at this time. Ometz immediately provided me with help for food for the next while, helped me pay the first month’s rent at the new place, and most importantly, let me know that I was not alone to be with my problems. My social worker would visit us weekly to talk and see how we were coping. Each of my children experienced separation from their father, a lifetime’s change, differently. The kids had comfort to a point, but were now asked to do laundry, cleaning, and other household tasks. I would also inform my social worker on Mondays, after the weekend, when my kids’ father was supposed to visit and didn’t show up. It was heartbreaking. My children were always my main focus and I felt terrible and guilty for not giving them the childhood I wanted for them.

At the time, there were only a few services specifically for children going through a family breakup. Thanks to the ongoing support from Federation CJA, Ometz offers therapy to help children deal with loss, school workers to help support academic success, and a huge team specializing in working with kids and young adults. The support I got as a mother from Ometz at the time helped me, helped my children, and was invaluable. I ended up looking forward to those weekly visits. When I first came to ask for help, I was ashamed and embarrassed, but my community never made me feel like a beggar. I received the help I needed, and kept my dignity. My kids continued to attend their Jewish day schools and we were subsidized. After my situation stabilized, I began working full-time. I felt I had turned a corner. I learned how important it was for me, as a woman, to stand on my own, to be aware of my choice, and not to be completely dependent on someone else.

Over the years, the community and Ometz continued to play an important role in my life. I was referred to three different jobs which I held for extended periods of time. My youngest child needed a counsellor to talk to, and Ometz found the right young man to help me. My children have consulted with Ometz as they moved forward in their lives: adult services, family resources… I’m happy to say that each of my children are grown and married, and I have ten beautiful grandchildren. I’m proud to share my story. I feel as if I am closing a circle. I want to emphasize how grateful I am for the help I received at the low point in my life. I love this year’s campaign slogan, “I am here.” Well, I am here, as well as my children and grandchildren. This community really makes a difference in people’s lives. Thank you for your generosity.

*The author of this testimonial is using a pseudonym to protect her privacy*