Thirty-three-year-old Angela Milford has lived in the same building in East Harlem since she was a child. She likes the neighborhood and has family nearby. Angela has been attending LaGuardia Community College with an important goal: completing her GED. Unhappy in high school, she left early without a diploma, but now as a young woman she is determined to change her situation. “I want a better future,” she explains. “I had been trying for years, but in 2019 I became determined – I just have to get it done.”
To get her degree, Angela was working at an Amazon warehouse at night, with a 1:00 a.m. starting time, and
attending school in the morning after work. It’s a grueling schedule, but she doesn’t see a way around it. “In the beginning, it was rough, but I can’t choose one or the other, school or work; I have to do both.” In addition, Angela is dealing with a severe vision impairment, which doesn’t make anything easier.
Last year, her job was moved from one Amazon facility to another, unexpectedly and temporarily putting Angela out of work. As the weeks dragged on, she struggled with her bills. It was six months before she was recalled by her employer and by then she was over $4,000 behind in her rent. She remembers, “I was really upset; I couldn’t believe it. I realized this is an emergency, and I can’t afford to be evicted.”
LaGuardia put Angela in touch with The Bridge Fund, which provided a huge relief. “They helped right away. They dealt with the court, and I never heard anything else about it. They paid half the rent and got LaGuardia to help, too.” In addition, she was given a $350 food card by The Bridge Fund to help keep her budget on track.
Currently, Angela is safely in her home, working full time, and in school. Best of all, she thinks she is only
one semester away from completing her GED. And she is very grateful. When asked about The Bridge Fund, she says, “I want to say thank you for helping; it is greatly appreciated!”
“I realized this is an emergency, I can’t afford to be evicted.”