How Sarah And Mia Moved Forward

As summer temperatures began to rise last year, 28-year-old mom Sarah arrived at FamilyAid asking for help. She was doing everything she could to keep life steady for her six-year-old daughter, Mia, who has autism and ongoing health needs that brought them to the doctor’s office more frequently than ever in the spring. With mounting medical bills, a fixed income and rent payments stacking up, Sarah was overwhelmed and afraid of what could happen next.

Sarah’s greatest concern was Mia’s stability. For Mia, routine and a safe home were essential. As she fell further behind on rent, Sarah worried constantly about receiving an eviction notice and losing the place where her daughter felt secure. Even in the heat of summer, when safe shelter is critical for families, Sarah tried to carry the stress alone so Mia would not have to feel the fear she was facing.

Sarah reached out to the staff at Mia’s Boston Public School to see if they knew of any resources available to help her. They connected her with FamilyAid the very next day. When Sarah connected with her FamilyAid caseworker, Josmanie, they began working through the crisis together. Josmanie helped her apply for financial assistance to cover her rental arrears, giving Sarah a concrete path toward protecting her family’s housing. Sarah was approved and was able to pay off her arrears in full.

With that support in place, Sarah could finally focus on what mattered most: caring for Mia and keeping their daily life stable. The relief was immediate. Instead of worrying about whether an eviction notice would arrive, Sarah could give Mia the attention, consistency and love she needed during a difficult season. Recognizing the importance of both child and parent well-being as part of our 2Gen framework, Josmanie attended Mia’s school IEP (Individualized Education Program) and school transition meetings alongside Sarah, serving as an advocate and partner as she navigated Mia’s educational needs.

Thanks to Sarah’s determination and the timely support from Josmanie, Sarah and Mia remained stably housed and have a solid plan in place for the future. Their story shows how quickly housing stability can become shaken for families struggling with the high cost of living while managing health challenges, and how compassionate support can help a parent protect the child she loves most.