Being a parent doesn’t come with a “How To” book. But when hard times happen, a parent will do whatever it takes to help their child.
When Sonia’s teenage daughter started to act out she didn’t know what to do. She just wanted to keep her child safe.
“I needed help with her, and no one could help me. She was putting me through a lot. It was very frustrating,” Sonia said.
Her daughter was going through a vulnerable phase in her teenage years.
“She tried to hurt herself, and she had to be checked into a hospital,” Sonia said.
Sonia’s daughter was admitted to a mental health facility in Valdosta and then moved to another in St. Simons so she could continue to receive treatment.
With expenses adding up, Sonia reached out to United Way of the Coastal Empire for assistance with transportation cost so she could make the drives to visit her daughter.
“When you have something unexpected happen you have to figure out a way to pay for it. You still have to pay bills, but then you have an emergency and have to figure out how to make it work,” Sonia said.
Being a resident of Liberty County, this meant a two-hour commute at times to only spend 30 minutes with her daughter.
“I get $40 gas cards from United Way. Sometimes I just don’t have the $40. I might have to pay a bill, but had to take $20 from the power bill or whatever I was going to use for other bills to use for gas.” Sonia said. “It eases my mind a little from the frustration to know I have these gas cards to help.”
In 2019, Women United provided 1,113 women in Bryan, Chatham, Effingham, and Liberty with gas cards. This was made possible due to the donations to the Women United Transportation Fund.
To make resources like gas cards, bus passes or minor car repairs accessible for women who find themselves in financial trouble you can give today to the Women United Transportation Fund. Any amount counts.