Our 4th and Final Story of Holiday Hope in East Harlem
Watch the video that follows this family's journey with LSA.
Fredy looked for work to no avail. His pregnant wife, Merced, diagnosed with thyroid disease, struggled with a high-risk pregnancy and gestational diabetes. Living in a rundown East Harlem apartment infested with rats and roaches, the couple felt isolated and in despair.
With barely enough money for food, no funds remained for pre-natal care for Merced. As newcomers to NYC, they had no family or friends and didn’t know where to go for help. Merced became depressed.
When pregnant moms and newborns don’t get the care they need, serious, preventable illness and even death can occur. When families have nowhere to turn, LSA is here for them.
A neighbor told Fredy about the food pantry at LSA Family Health Service. When he came, our advocates took the time to ask why they needed food. Before long, an LSA nurse was giving prenatal care to Merced and referred her to counseling for her depression.
With time, the young family gained strength. As their infant daughter grew, mom and tot attended our early childhood programs to help with delays and socialization. Fredy began bartending and could now provide basic necessities for his family.
As the family become more stable and healthy, Fredy decided to give back to LSA. He became president of the Parents’ Support Group, and in the aftermath of the East Harlem gas explosion last March, was hired as a core member of our East Harlem Relief outreach team. This family is now on their way forward.
Please make a tax-deductible, end-of-year donation before December 31st to help us change the lives of families like Fredy and Merced’s.