CAP stands for Community Assistance Program. Unlike all of our other programs, this program helps to mitigate family emergencies of all kinds. Here are some recent examples:
July, 2022 – A Vietnam era veteran was referred to us by a local church. He is disabled and living on a small fixed income. His car, a ten year old Jeep, had been basically reliable and in good shape, but needed a starter and a fuel pump. A garage quoted him over $1000 for the job, which he did not have. One of his neighbors, a mechanic by trade, offered to install the needed parts for $100. We researched the parts, ordered and delivered them to his home, wrote a check to the mechanic, and this man’s wife is really happy that he is back on the road again, seeing friends. Cost to CAP fund? Under $500.
March 2022 – A local family of six all survive a fire that destroys their rented home and all of their clothing. The clothing bank had just $20 in vouchers in it that day. We purchased $200 in free clothing vouchers from Goodwill for $160, and the whole family was able to make a special trip to Goodwill to pick out clothing that they are comfortable wearing while they sort out small things together – like where to live.
August 2022 – A man who was discharged from Middlesex Health (Hospital), homeless except for his pick-up truck, found that his truck had been towed to the impound yard. A social worker from Middlesex Health called us to see if we could share in the expense of getting this man’s transportation/home back in his care, while she worked out housing over a longer term. Four community partners shared the expense – SVDM’s CAP contribution was to negotiate with and pay the towing company and then arrange for a wonderful, family owned local garage to fix the truck to make it safe. Other community partners split the repair bill. Cost to CAP fund, $450.
