The HEART project was launched in response to the unexpected financial burden COVID-19 has brought upon many families and individuals, who were already struggling to maintain financial stability.
HOLA identified a family and a homeless person in need of immediate financial assistance to prevent homelessness and/or make ends meet. Read below to learn how you can help.
HOLA is kindly asking our supporters if you can help provide financial assistance to the family and/or individual.
You may provide assistance in one or more of the following ways:
*Monthly donations are not subscription based. You let us know how long you can commit and we’ll work out the details on a case by case basis.
All donations can be made by cash to a board member or through Venmo or PayPal by clicking here.
Maria Castillo and her husband are undocumented immigrants from Puebla, who have been living in a small apartment in LA for 15 years with their 4 children (10, 12, 15, and 20 years old) and dog Luna. The family’s sources of income are from Mr. Castillo who earns $350 every 2 weeks working at a car wash in Valencia and Mrs. Castillo who recycles plastic/aluminum bottles or babysits other children when she can.
Mrs. Castillo does not work because she has to care for her 12-year old daughter who has autism. Fortunately, Mr. Castillo was able to start work 2 weeks ago, after being unable to work since February due to an emergency eye operation.
Although Mr. Castillo has returned back to work, he experienced total loss of income from February until late May, which was made worse when the pandemic hit. They have survived the loss of income and the effects of the pandemic by borrowing money from friends and receiving assistance from organizations such as the Dream center whom provide food/meals every day.
They currently pay $685 a month in rent plus approximately $130/mo. for cell phone, $60/mo. for electricity, $20/mo. for gas, and $60/mo. for internet. They are aware that they have extended time to pay rent due to COVID-19 but they want to stay current on their expenses, because it will be harder to catch up later. They owe approximately $800 right now.
One last question we asked the Castillo family is if they could describe the perfect day…
“A perfect day for them is going out on walks to the park and when they have a little extra money, they like to treat themselves by going to get take out, especially from Yoshinoya. They do not eat at restaurants because it gets too expensive with buying a drink, etc.”
Alfonso Gonzalez is an undocumented immigrant from Guatemala who has been living in LA for 28 years.
He used to rent an apartment with his wife and daughter until 2016, when he lost his job and could no longer afford the rent. He became homeless in January 2017 and began living in his car with his companion dog, Canelo. Shortly after, his wife returned to Guatemala with their 21-year-old daughter Lola. Lola was able to return to LA in March 2019 and is attending school to learn English. She currently works for a poultry market full-time and rents an apartment for $600.
Before COVID-19, Alfonso worked as a part-time parking lot attendant where he used to earn $180 a week, but has been closed as a result of the pandemic. He would also earn extra money by soliciting work at the Home Depot Center as a day laborer.
In March 2020, he was able to secure a temporary job at a church where he has been doing maintenance work and gardening, earning an average of $300 a week. Recently, Alfonso and his dog have been sleeping at a church since March 2020. Once they leave the church, they will go back to living in his car.
Although Alfonso was able to gain temporary employment, he’s had a rough few months that have set him back financially. In December 2019, they broke into his car and stole his entire savings of $1,500. In April 2020, they broke into his vehicle and stole all his clothing, tools, and everything else except his vehicle.
His monthly expenses include sending $600/mo. to help support his wife in Guatemala, gasoline for his car $100/mo., laundromat service $50/mo., $150/mo. for car insurance, and miscellaneous grocery items/hygiene $50/mo.
He gets assistance from local food banks and the Dream Center, so he does not have to spend much money on food. He is currently trying to save money to buy a twin mattress to place inside his minivan.