Smiling Moon grew up as part of the Shinnecock Nation on Long Island, New York. However, for more than 47 years, she has made Yonkers her home, retiring five years ago after a long career with the local school system. She is now 67 years of age.
In 2020, Smiling Moon began to have problems with her breathing, which really scared her. “I couldn’t even take care of myself, get dressed, or cook,” she recalls. Eventually, she was taken by ambulance to the hospital and admitted. This was at the height of the Covid pandemic, before the disease was well-understood, and the hospital was packed. She was discharged after four days but was still very ill and weak. Living at home in her weakened state came with added expenses: food deliveries, Ubers to the doctor, help with cleaning, buying a walker and other equipment. All those extra costs were not in her household budget. Then, she lost three family members and tried to help… but it was all too much. She recalls, “I started to get behind, and it was too hard to catch up. I just gave up at some point.”
When the special Covid eviction protections ended, the landlord tried to get her out. “The Sheriff came and knocked on my door with an eviction notice. I was afraid I would lose my apartment!” Fortunately, a Legal Aid attorney referred her to The Bridge Fund, and today she gets emotional talking about her experience. “I tell you my caseworker was the nicest person I ever spoke to. He was encouraging and listened and told me how he would help me. He took the sting away and gave me hope.”
The Bridge Fund worked with Smiling Moon and partnered with other agencies to pay the rent owed and prevent her eviction. The caseworker provided budget counseling and assessed her for government benefits and services. Today, she feels secure and content in her apartment and very thankful. “I’m not worried now, I am all set up,” she says. “And I one hundred percent would never have made it without The Bridge Fund. Never.”
“I couldn’t even take care of myself, get dressed, or cook.”