York County Family Fund

06/05/2026

Here is another request that can show you what people can be facing. Heartbreaking. We can do what we can and thanks to our donors, we have been able to help 110 people this year so far:

"I pray this message finds you well. I am reaching out with a heartfelt and urgent request on behalf of a client I am assisting at The Salvation Army who is currently walking through an incredibly difficult and overwhelming season in her life.
She is a single mother striving to care for her child while facing severe depression and anxiety that have made even the most basic daily tasks feel insurmountable. At this time, she has no financial resources and is at immediate risk of losing her electricity.
In moments like these, we are reminded of the call to come alongside those who are struggling and to offer support where we can. This mother is doing everything she can to hold things together, but she cannot do it alone. The loss of electricity would add a profound burden to an already fragile situation, impacting both her and her child’s safety and stability.
I am humbly and urgently asking if your organization would be willing to assist with her electric bill. Any contribution would be a true blessing and a source of hope during a time when she feels overwhelmed and without options.
Thank you for your compassion, generosity, and commitment to serving those in need. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if any additional information is needed . I would be grateful to assist in any way.:

05/05/2026

Thanks to our donors, we were able to help:

Hi, Dede,

Reaching out to ask for help is incredibly difficult for me.

I am currently facing a serious financial hardship while also navigating recovery and healing. I am a survivor of domestic violence, and my former partner has continued to stalk me, which has made it difficult to maintain stability and safety.

At the same time, I have been dealing with ongoing medical issues that have required multiple doctor’s appointments, specialist care, and surgeries. These circumstances have made it very difficult for me to keep up financially.

Right now, my car has been impounded due to unpaid parking tickets and towing/storage fees, and it is at risk of being auctioned. I am trying to resolve this, but the cost is more than I can manage on my own. Having my vehicle is critical for me to safely attend medical appointments and continue working toward stability.

If your organization offers any form of emergency assistance—or if you can point me toward programs or resources that may be able to help—I would be deeply grateful. I am also willing to provide documentation if needed.

Thank you very much for your time, compassion, and consideration.

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04/24/2026

Help us continue to help these folks in need:

"As much as I have appreciated your organization helping out our client’s that Spurwink’s serves, we continue to feel how much people are struggling paying their basic bills to survive these days and have to choose feeding their families and paying their electricity bill. This family has three young children with disabilities causing a hardship for the mom to work outside of the home as she is overwhelmed with multiple appointments with providers and the father working part-time due to his own disability. If any financial assistance is available to help this family with this CMP bill that would be beneficial in a way to help them pay their rent.
Again, your organization is greatly recognized for caring for our clients we serve to support."

04/22/2026

Just when you think you have it tough... We were able to help thanks to our donors. Please consider donating so we can continue to help folks in financial crisis.

"Hello! Everyone. I hope this e mail finds you well! I am reaching out to multiple community partners at once to coordinate potential assistance for a client I am currently supporting who is struggling with a high electric bill. I truly appreciate everyone taking the time to review this request.
The client is a single father of two sons who has been facing significant hardship this winter. The client himself has really struggled with being recently deaf due to medical issues, in addition to experiencing serious problems with his legs. These changes have been sudden and life‑altering, and he is still learning how to navigate daily life and parenting without being able to hear.
Despite these challenges, he remains deeply committed to his children. He devotes all of his energy to keeping them happy, healthy, safe, and successful in school, often putting their needs ahead of his own. This winter, limited finances had to be directed toward other essential bills, which caused his electric balance to grow beyond what he could manage independently.
This situation has taken a heavy emotional toll on him. He has shared feelings of immense guilt and shame, expressing that he feels like he has failed his children. He was nearly in tears while explaining that he had never been in a situation like this before and has worked hard throughout his life to remain stable. He has reached out to several resources on his own but has encountered many barriers, as he has been told that his bill is too high, and that assistance would require confirmation that other resources are becoming involved.
If this client is able to get this bill down to a manageable amount, going forward he will get back on track with his budget plan he was doing and put money into savings in case something big should happen again.
To help demonstrate active engagement and reduce the balance, we are contributing $150 toward his electric bill. However, additional support is still needed to make a meaningful impact and relieve the pressure this family is facing.
Any assistance, coordination, or guidance that any of you may be able to provide would be greatly appreciated. Even partial assistance or referrals to additional programs could make a significant difference for this family. Jane, this client has called you and left a voicemail to set up an appointment, just FYI. I thought I would add you to this e mail just to have you aware of what's going on.
Thank you all for the work you do and for your time and consideration. Please feel free to reach out if further information or documentation is needed."

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04/15/2026

Thanks to our donors, we were able to help this woman!

I am writing with urgent concern on behalf of a client I am assisting who is at immediate risk due to lack of heat and severe financial hardship.
The client is a 94‑year‑old woman living solely on Social Security income. She recently lost her husband, leaving her with no additional household income. Her adult son has moved into the home to provide support; however, he is currently unemployed and does not receive any income.
Earlier this season, the client was required to pay property taxes on her home, which exhausted the limited funds she would normally rely on to cover essential utilities. As a result, she is currently unable to afford heat. She has shared that she is extremely cold, distressed, and fearful, and given her advanced age, this poses a serious health and safety concern.
She has made repeated attempts to access assistance through LIHEAP but has been unsuccessful due to ongoing communication delays. Unfortunately, she does not have the time or physical ability to continue navigating prolonged outreach while living without adequate heat.
Given her age, vulnerability, recent loss, and current living conditions, I am respectfully and urgently requesting emergency heating assistance to ensure her home remains safe and habitable. Any consideration or expedited support you can provide would be lifesaving and would have an immediate impact on her well‑being.

04/07/2026

Here's another request. We will be able to help thanks again to our donors:

"I am writing on behalf of a client I work closely with to respectfully request emergency rental assistance to help cover her rent for the current month.
This client is a survivor of severe domestic violence. Over the course of our work together, I have met with her multiple times for a variety of needs related to safety, housing stability, and basic supports. Unfortunately, she has experienced ongoing physical, emotional, and financial abuse from her partner. Despite her best efforts, she recently allowed this individual back into her life and is experiencing significant shame and emotional distress as a result.
At this time, our agency is unable to provide rental assistance due to program guidelines, as it has not yet been six months since we last assisted her. When informed of this, the client was understandably very upset and fearful of the possibility of losing her housing.
Since this recent incident, she has taken significant and courageous steps toward long‑term safety and stability. She has obtained a protective order against her abuser, who has been both violent and financially exploitative. Additionally, her property management company (Avesta) has changed her locks to prevent further access by the abuser—steps she has not previously felt able to take.
With these new safety measures in place, the client has expressed a strong commitment to engaging with community resources, including domestic violence advocacy services, for ongoing emotional and financial support. This one‑time rental assistance would provide immediate relief during a critical moment and help her remain housed as she continues to stabilize and build a safer future.
Thank you very much for considering this request and for the important work you do supporting individuals and families facing all types of crises."

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04/06/2026

Below is a testimonial we got today asking for help. Thanks to our donors, we were able to help this woman and many more:

"I am writing with urgent concern on behalf of a client I am assisting who is at immediate risk due to lack of heat and severe financial hardship.
The client is a 94‑year‑old woman living solely on Social Security income. She recently lost her husband, leaving her with no additional household income. Her adult son has moved into the home to provide support; however, he is currently unemployed and does not receive any income.
Earlier this season, the client was required to pay property taxes on her home, which exhausted the limited funds she would normally rely on to cover essential utilities. As a result, she is currently unable to afford heat. She has shared that she is extremely cold, distressed, and fearful, and given her advanced age, this poses a serious health and safety concern.
She has made repeated attempts to access assistance through LIHEAP but has been unsuccessful due to ongoing communication delays. Unfortunately, she does not have the time or physical ability to continue navigating prolonged outreach while living without adequate heat.
Given her age, vulnerability, recent loss, and current living conditions, I am respectfully and urgently requesting emergency heating assistance to ensure her home remains safe and habitable. Any consideration or expedited support you can provide would be lifesaving and would have an immediate impact on her well‑being."

Send a message to learn more

02/27/2026

It's hard to realize what people go through until you hear the stories we do at the York County Family Fund. We are able to help people in crisis thanks to our donors. Read the request below as an example.

Please consider donating:

https://www.yorkcountyfamilyfund.org/donate

"Hello!
I am reaching out in hopes of securing support for a client I met with today who is in urgent need of temporary shelter assistance. Given her circumstances and the barriers she has encountered, I believe she may be an appropriate fit for your program’s support.
This client recently fled Massachusetts after leaving a 30‑year domestic violence marriage. Despite relocating to Maine for safety, her husband—who is a practicing physician—continues to make her life extremely difficult even from another state. She is highly educated, holding a PhD in Psychology and a master’s degree in another discipline, but due to mobility challenges and significant memory concerns related to Multiple Sclerosis, she has been unable to continue working.
At this time, she is living intermittently in her car in S**o and Old Orchard Beach. She has reached out to several local resources, including Caring Unlimited, General Assistance, and other community programs. However, she has been denied services due to her income level. While these funds technically place her above certain financial eligibility thresholds, they are not nearly enough to secure safe and stable housing—especially while she is actively fleeing a long‑term abusive situation.
She is aware of the shelter in Biddeford but does not feel safe staying there, and she expressed that she would feel safer remaining in her car. This sentiment is something I have heard from many clients, and her concerns appear to be genuine and grounded in her lived experience.
Today, she expressed how desperate she is for even a brief reprieve from sleeping in her vehicle. She is hoping for three nights in a motel where she can safely rest, shower, warm up, and not worry about running her car continuously for heat. We contacted Shannon at the Oceanic Inn, who confirmed that a room is available if assistance can be provided.
The client will receive her SSDI deposit in three days and will be able to cover her own lodging after that point. We are respectfully requesting whether York County FF would be able to assist with $250 toward three nights at the Oceanic Inn to help stabilize her in the short term until her income is available.
Any support you can offer would make an immediate and meaningful difference for her safety and wellbeing."

12/31/2025

These stories and requests come to us daily. Even hard working people need help. Thank you to our donors and to those that help people in need.

"I recently met a client, (...) is a dedicated mother of four boys, the oldest being 18. Both (...) and her eldest son work full-time at Dunkin Donuts, which unfortunately led to a reduction in state assistance due to the son’s additional income. This has created financial strain, as (...) hopes her son can continue saving for his own apartment rather than contributing heavily to household expenses.
Despite these challenges, (...) remains an attentive and creative parent. All four boys are respectful and actively engaged in our youth programs, serving as positive role models. Additionally, (...'s) mother lives ​​with them, and (...) expressed concern about her mother’s mental health, noting recent signs of distress and potential self-harm risk. She has a lot going on in her life but continues to be a focused and dedicated mother through it all.
I have attached her CMP bill for your review. This bill has been a huge stressor for her. If your program is able to assist with this expense in any way, it would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for your time and consideration"

11/09/2025

Good news!