For two years, Paco and his two dogs lived inside a car.
The 52-year-old Hillsboro resident — known to his family and friends by the nickname Paco — was dealing with serious health issues that made his situation even worse.
A long-term survivor of a catastrophic car accident and brain surgery, Paco also managed diabetes. Doctors told Paco he needed to start dialysis as soon as possible, but his medical team refused to begin treatment until he found safer shelter.
Getting Paco HelpLocal nonprofit ASSIST (Assertive SSI Service Team) saw an opportunity to help Paco. Even though it is not directly part of the organization’s mission, ASSIST helped Paco secure housing.
ASSIST staff then got down to their real work: successfully navigating the maze of applications and paperwork needed for Paco to receive Social Security Disability Insurance benefits. The guaranteed monthly income is not much, but it was enough to get Paco out of his car and into a home where he could safely recuperate from lifesaving treatment.
"We help the sickest of the sick and the poorest of the poor navigate the SSI/SSDI system," says ASSIST Executive Director Mellani Calvin. "Most disability attorneys avoid these complex cases. But securing that guaranteed monthly benefit impacts our clients’ health, independence, and stability."
Calvin also notes the ripple effect to the greater community, estimating that her small non-profit brought nearly $4.3 million in federal benefits to Hillsboro clients.
ASSIST, Others Get Grants From the City of Hillsboro
ASSIST is one 14 nonprofits that were awarded a Hillsboro Community Services Grant for the 2021-22 fiscal year.
In December 2021, the program distributed a total of $200,000 to organizations that provide vital services to people in Hillsboro. A six-month outcomes report reveals the investment directly benefited more than 32,000 community members thus far.
"The City of Hillsboro started the Community Services Grant Program in 1992 by awarding just $15,000," says Mandy Gawf, Hillsboro’s Community Services Coordinator. "The program has grown and changed since then, but the focus — improving the mental or physical condition of Hillsboro residents — remains the same."
That service comes in many forms, from rental and utility bill assistance to early childhood education and support for children in foster care, to providing food security for those in need.
Turning $5,000 Into 18,570 MealsMeals on Wheels People used its $5,000 Community Services Grant to assist with the cost of delivering 18,570 meals to 243 seniors in Hillsboro, according to the six-month outcomes report.
The meals greatly impact the lives and health of Hillsboro seniors, according to Operations Director Jody Grant.
"Nutrition is key to keeping older adults healthy and safe, but homebound seniors have a hard time shopping and cooking," Grant says. "Delivering these dynamic meals with high-quality protein really affects their lives."
For proof of the impact, Grant reads out loud a letter her office recently received.
"Thank you for bringing me enough food that I can now have three meals a day, instead of the two I was eating," the letter reads. "My doctors all agree that three meals are more healthy than two. My blood sugar and blood pressure are much better with three quality meals a day. And they taste good too!"
More Funding for Nonprofits
Hillsboro’s Community Services Grant program continues to deliver resources to local nonprofits for the 2022-23 fiscal year.
Applications are scored based on criteria such as the benefit to Hillsboro community members, outcomes, equity, efficiency, and urgency of need.
In 2022, 14 agencies received a total of $200,000 In grant money, including a $16,000 award to CASA for Children, Inc.
The CASA organization assigns a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) to an abused or neglected child moving through the court system. Each CASA advocates for the best interests of vulnerable children as they move through the harrowing process.
If appropriate, CASAs can also educate, encourage, and mentor the entire family; sparing the child the trauma of being removed from their home.
"CASA is thrilled to have again been chosen to receive City of Hillsboro funding," says CASA Finance and Operations Director Kathy Finney. "This support is a major step in helping us achieve our three-year goal of ensuring every child in care in Washington County — and within the City Hillsboro specifically — has a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) fighting for their best interests.
"This funding provides the resources needed to recruit, train and support the CASA volunteers to serve every child."
Original source can be found here.
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