Cecelia’s Story

Meet Cecelia

Like many people in their 60s, Cecelia could see retirement on the horizon, but she continued to take pride in her customer service job at the supermarket. Though she lived alone in Brooklyn, Cecelia filled her social life with Friday night Shabbat dinners, visits to the city’s museums, and morning walks through Prospect Park. With her 65th birthday a year away, Cecelia looked forward to finally slowing down after a lifetime of hard work, with the help of Social Security. However, when Cecelia suddenly learned she needed a knee replacement, her plans for the future were upended.

Opening Up and Finding Help

After successful surgery, Cecelia faced a hard truth – her life would now be permanently altered by ongoing knee pain and stiffness. Living alone made Cecelia fiercely independent, so it took courage to be vulnerable and seek out supportive counseling sessions at Jewish Community Services (JCS). Cecelia opened up about how mounting medical bills had depleted all her savings, and her job only provided short-term disability benefits, leaving her unable keep up with rent and basic expenses. Hearing Cecelia’s concerns, the JCS group counseling team contacted another Jewish Board initiative: the Homelessness Prevention Program. One team member, Karen, immediately began working with Cecelia to develop a course of action.

A Plan Doesn’t Go According to Plan

The Jewish Board’s Homeless Prevention Program (HPP) provides one-time assistance with rent, utilities, and other essential needs for people facing hardship due to illness, job loss, and other life challenges. Cecelia planned to return to work, which would enable her to pay rent and bills, but this still left her unable to pay back the owed rent. With HPP’s help, a grant was secured through the UJA-Federation of New York. Grateful and relieved, Cecelia returned to work full of optimism that the happy retirement she worked so hard to acquire was within reach.

However, Cecelia quickly realized her health issues were too severe – the demands of standing on her feet all day proved unbearable. Her employer was understanding, but it was apparent that even with accommodations, she wouldn’t be able to meet the demands of her job. Despite her best efforts, Cecelia came to the heartbreaking realization that she needed to retire early. With her 65th birthday still six months away, Cecelia panicked: Social Security benefits wouldn’t kick in until her birthday, and without a steady income during those remaining months, she couldn’t make ends meet. Temporary assistance through New York State and SNAP benefits helped, but she remained unable to pay all of her rent, even in the rent-stabilized Flatbush apartment she’d lived in for 30 years. These months were challenging, but they taught Cecelia a valuable lesson: there is strength in asking for help.

Adapting to Unexpected Change

Once again, Cecelia reached out to JCS and HPP to continue her supportive counseling sessions and develop a new plan to pay rent until Social Security began. Working closely with Cecelia, Karen connected her to The Bridge Fund of New York City, which provides short-term rent aid. When Cecelia was approved for the program, the stress of not knowing how she would survive over the next few months lifted. She expressed gratitude in a card to Karen where she wrote: “Sending you my heartfelt thanks and warm wishes.”

A Well-Earned Retirement

With the financial and emotional difficulties of the past few months finally resolved, Cecelia can now focus fully on her health and future, and looks forward to her Social Security income. The dream of retirement will finally become a reality. Supporting Cecelia through her journey reminded Karen and everyone at JCS and HPP of the important work they do for those facing health-related income loss. As one staff member told us, “Cecelia was motivated and worked to be independent, and yet, even the most independent people among us need help. When it was clear she couldn’t work, Cecelia was willing to explore other options and work with staff to develop and follow a successful care plan. Cecelia should be so pleased at how she handled this difficult transition.”

*Names have been changed to protect the privacy of our clients.