Feedback and gratitude from those served
I am 55. I have not been able to make ends meet for years. I ended up living in my car. I had no relatives or friends.
I thought about ending my life, but somehow, I found Easterseals Oregon.
This organization gave me the training and confidence I needed to return to the workforce and earn a living.
I am thriving now because of the help I received and because of the people who give to make Easterseals Oregon possible.
I am still here. I am thriving because of you.
You changed my life. You saved my life.
Thank you
Anonymous
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I had a major car accident that took me out of work for several months. I was not eligible for short-term disability. I was close to losing everything and becoming homeless. I went to many organizations and churches for help, but to no avail.
Out of the blue, I was sitting in my car bawling, feeling completely defeated and hopeless, when I received a call from a caseworker at Easterseals Oregon. She was compassionate and empathetic. She said not to worry. She was right.
Easterseals Oregon helped me get back to work. I was then able to pay my bills and the debt I had accrued while I was unable to work. I didn’t lose my apartment. They helped lift me back up to being self-sufficient and successful as a self-supporting single woman. I even have savings now for emergency situations.
Easterseals Oregon and the people who support it literally save lives.
I am forever grateful to you.
Jackie
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My involvement with Easterseals Oregon has kept me from constant thoughts of ending my life. I had been a successful high school teacher and an artist for years. Suddenly, I was old and not worthy of a job. I had to give up my car.
I walked the streets of Portland alone, depressed, and in physical pain. Why was I still even on the planet? What good was my life? Mental health care was impossible to obtain.
Miraculously, I was connected to Easterseals Oregon.
That SINGLE CONNECTION opened a whole new world for me.
I was no longer “just another old woman” with no purpose and no meaning.
Easterseals Oregon gave me a reason to get up in the morning, a job, and an income.
Through the kindness, patience, and support of its staff, I began to believe that my remaining life might still have value and that, despite my age, I am still a decent and good person worthy of respect.
Your support of Easterseals Oregon gives an important and almost forgotten segment of our population a real and significant chance to see a future, to have a future, to develop new relationships, to keep learning, and to stay alive. Thank you.
Anonymous
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I had not worked in several years and was at a point where I wasn’t sure how I would pay for food. I needed help getting back into the workforce. Easterseals Oregon assisted me in becoming an asset to the community rather than a liability. I got the training and support I needed to get a job, improve my economic situation, and feel significantly less alone.
I am so grateful to Easterseals and to everyone who gives to make its life-changing programs possible.
Marie
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I am 74. For several years, I did not have stable housing. I was living with a friend because I could not afford rent. I was terrified of becoming homeless. Thanks to Easterseals Oregon and those who support it, I now have a job. I am no longer afraid of not having enough funds to buy food. I feel significantly less alone and afraid.
Anna
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I have a disability. I was feeling depressed and scared about my economic situation and future. I kept trying to secure work on my own, but I experienced discrimination and needed help addressing it and overcoming it. Please keep this program going. It’s a life changer.
Linda
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I am a Veteran with a disability. I had not worked in years and was feeling overwhelmed and lost. I had about given up hope after trying a few programs. Easterseals Oregon is the place to go for help. They truly care and have worked hard to help me secure work and improve my economic situation.
Michael
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The help I have received from Easterseals Oregon is beyond excellent. This organization saved and changed my life.
Anonymous
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As we age, it becomes easier to justify just giving up in the face of adversity. Accept things as they are because you are old and not worth as much as you once were to society.
With Easterseals Oregon, I had a chance to breathe, regroup, and start again. I figured out what I wanted, rather than just any job. They taught me how to earn more pay by capitalizing on my many years of training and know-how. They inspired me not to give up.
Easterseals shows us older Americans that we still have a place. We still have a voice. We are still of value to this great nation. Thank you.
John
