The YWCA of Queens provides programming for Asian American, Pacific Islander communities and other low-income individuals and families that request our services. We are delighted to provide 2 of our successful participants’ stories where we were able to provide needed assistance resulting in improving the quality of life of these individuals.
Shao, a 66-year-old Chinese woman born in 1958, relocated to the United States 11 years ago. She divorced many years prior, and her ex-husband and daughter remain in China, unable to assist her.
Despite these challenges, Shao loves America and chose to live here independently. She works as a home care aide, earning approximately $1,200 per month for 20 hours of work per week. However, her income is insufficient to afford a decent apartment in Flushing, Queens. She has faced significant challenges, including frequent relocations due to high rent. Ultimately, she opted to share an apartment with her sister to alleviate her financial burden, which allows her to barely make ends meet.
Living near our YWCA Union office, Shao became acquainted with our agency many years ago. She has participated in our English classes and various senior activities multiple times. After learning about the community services we offer, she frequently sought assistance from our Community Support Center. Recognizing her difficulties, we enrolled her in our Food Pantry Program, scheduling her to pick up free food every Tuesday at our Parsons office. Additionally, we applied for a reduced MetroCard to lower her transportation costs, as she often relies on public transportation for work and errands. Given her poor living conditions and high rent, we discussed her options and assisted her in applying for NYCHA public housing and lottery housing.
In November 2023, Shao received a notification for housing in the Bronx, requiring her to submit documents and attend an interview. After missing the initial interview call, we assisted her in contacting the housing department, and through our combined efforts, she successfully completed all procedures in December and moved into her new apartment. The studio is very new, and the rent is only $348 per month. Overjoyed, she expressed her gratitude to us multiple times, stating that our assistance enabled her to live in such a nice apartment. With her housing problem resolved and the provision of free food, her financial pressure has significantly decreased. She is very satisfied and plans to work at least one more year before retiring. Having already inquired at the Social Security Department, she expects to receive about $1,000 per month in SSA after retirement. She is now unconcerned about her retirement life, feeling content and grateful. Shao expressed her desire to participate in various senior activities and continue learning English at our agency after retirement to enrich her life. She is now eagerly looking forward to her retirement.
Mrs. Lema, originally from Ecuador, currently resides in Flushing, Queens, with her three minor children. Separated from the father of her children, she receives partial rent support from him, while she covers the remaining $800. Mrs. Lema works 30 hours a week at a nail salon spa, earning $300 plus tips. Her youngest son has autism and receives Individualized Education Program (IEP) services at school. She is solely responsible for all household expenses and requires assistance with food and medical care. Her primary concern is falling ill and being unable to work to support her family.
Without medical insurance, Mrs. Lema could not afford doctor’s appointments. From our first meeting, it was clear that she is an empowered woman who just needed the right tools and guidance to achieve her goals. We assisted her in applying for SNAP benefits and enrolled her in our Food Pantry Program to alleviate her concerns about providing food for her children. She successfully submitted all required documents on time and completed her HRA interview satisfactorily.
Regarding her health, we identified a program offered by the New York State of Health called the “Cancer Services Program of Queens,” which provides free cancer screenings for uninsured Queens residents. We contacted the program to check Mrs. Lema’s eligibility. She needed a mammogram to examine a possible malignant tumor in her breast, and we were able to schedule an appointment for her the next day.
Mrs. Lema attended the appointment and was relieved to learn that the tumor was benign. However, she needs ongoing medical monitoring. She continues to work tirelessly to provide a better quality of life for her children.