Jonnycake Community
Our members want you to know how you help. Each month, we will highlight someone who receives assistance, provides support, or is a partner in our work.
I grew up in Jamestown, and I worked locally my whole life, often two or three jobs at a time to make ends meet. I had never needed help. That changed when my relationship ended, taking my housing with it. Before I knew it, I was unable to afford groceries. I went to the Jonnycake Center afraid and alone.
When I arrived, Jen was assigned to me, but I immediately thought of her as my friend. She showed me the food pantry, and I was able to shop, not out of charity but with dignity. As I worked with Jen and she learned about my situation, she gently offered other ways in which the Center could help me get back on my feet. For example, my car broke down and I was unable to get to work. Jen shared that the Center has a one-time emergency fund program that I could access for help. I couldn’t believe it. I had been desperate for a solution. Because I could fix my transportation through the Center’s fund, I kept that job and put the pieces of a stable life back together slowly but surely. As the weather started to turn, Jen noticed that I didn’t have a winter coat; when my relationship ended, my partner had destroyed all of my clothing. I was cold but too proud to ask. Instead, Jen just quietly brought me a warm coat. I call her my angel on earth.
“I literally don’t know where I would be right now without the Jonnycake Centers help” – Kathleen.
Jen kept in touch with me as my journey evolved. I think it was four years that I received supportive calls from Jen and the Center. Usually I didn’t need help per se but the caring outreach was invaluable to me reestablishing a sense of peace as I moved ahead. At one point, I had an opportunity to get a new job but I would have to invest in a uniform. I didn’t have the extra money to buy the required clothing so when Jen called, I told her about the job and somehow she provided me with the money to get the clothing I needed. Because of Jen, I kept that job for years and was able to find stable housing with caring roommates. I regained my sense of place.
My most difficult Jonnycake memory is that first Christmas. At the time, I had two young grandchildren and I was ashamed that there would be no gifts from Nana under the tree that year. I just didn’t have the money. Through my chats with Jen, she offered to enter my name in the Christmas wish list drive at the Jonnycake Center. That Christmas morning, I was not embarrassed but rather I felt deep gratitude for being able to deliver two simple but beautiful gifts to my grandkids.
It’s been years since I’ve needed the Center’s help but I am proud to tell this story. We all need help sometimes and we are lucky to live in a community that has the Jonnycake Center. If you met me now you’d never know where I’ve been. Remember that, you never know someone’s story until you ask.