Luis' Family

Luis with Benefits Access Case Manager Darling DaSilva Ortiz

Luis is a client of the Child Center Benefits Access program, which helps families navigate complex social service and other systems. Luis found out about Benefits Access during a visit to The Child Center’s Macari Family Wellness Center, where his children receive mental health services. Luis originally came to Benefits Access for assistance with his SNAP (food stamps) application. Benefits Access Case Manager Darling DaSilva Ortiz provided the assistance he was looking for and also connected him with resources for food pantries and clothing organizations.

Luis’ family exemplifies The Child Center’s holistic approach to care. Below, Luis and three of his children tell their stories, in their own words, transcribed and edited lightly for clarity.

Luis

My name is Luis, and I have the blessing of having four children living at home with me.

At this time, we are having a very difficult time financially. I had an accident at work, and, unfortunately, I don’t have a regular paycheck. I only get a portion of a check. I have really tried so hard to find all the help I could get. I have tried getting help with rental assistance and with food stamps for many years.

I take off my hat to Ms. Darling. She did the best she could from the first day I met her. She greeted me with such good manners. She treated me with respect and took the time to listen to me in her office. Ms. Darling filled out the forms correctly and took the time to ensure that all my documents were submitted properly, and right away the benefits were approved. My case passed through so many people’s hands, but the difference was that Ms. Darling cared about us and my situation. Most importantly, she cared about my children and their well-being. She is an angel in our lives, and my family and I will always be grateful for all the help she has provided to us and for sending me resources. She works in such a way that people can see and feel that she truly cares. May God always bless her so she can continue blessing other families like she has with mine.

Because of Ms. Darling and the Benefits Access program, my family and I have one less thing to worry about, and that’s not having food on the table. No parents should have to worry about their children not having anything to eat. My family and I are the example of the blessing that Darling is.

From left to right: Luis, Jhosmeri, Rosa, and Darling. The children are holding string bags that Benefits Access distributes at outreach events. The bags contain hygiene products, emergency kits, raincoats, and other items provided by OMH Suicide Prevention, as well as crayons, writing implements, mental health stickers, a phone and tablet stand, and snacks.

Jhosmeri, age 8

My name is Jhosmeri, and I feel happy because we now have food. My dad can’t work because he hurt his arm and his back, and before he was worried because he can’t work, and we were always hungry.

My therapist’s name is Evelyn [Cruz], and I really like it because we get to play a lot and talk. I like to play. Before, I had nothing to do, and I felt shy. I always play with her, and that makes me happy.

Luis, age 11

I have two therapists, one is Diana [Huaynate], and the other is Ashley [SanMartin]. They are very kind people, and they always stay with me. I feel good now. Before in school, I got bullied because I am short, and I feel angry about this. In therapy, I talk about school and my feelings. Like when I was angry and I told my therapist about this.

Before therapy, I couldn’t speak, and because of therapy I don’t speak like bah bah bah. Now I can say words, like in this conversation now. I can also write like my name and stuff, and I have friends in school. I almost forgot about that! Things are better now.

Last week it was very hot, and my mom got many fruits and even popsicles. My mother said it was because we now have the card that my father showed us.

I was so happy and excited because she got watermelon, and she put it in the freezer with grapes, and they are so good. We also have a lot of vegetables, and she is always cooking for us now. And we can take food to the beach, like last week.

My mother makes a sandwich with egg and dips it and stirs it in a bowl, and it is so good. I don’t know the name, but yesterday she made chicken soup. We eat a lot now because we have a lot of food at home.

My father can’t work, and he can’t buy us food, and I think that makes him sad. He saved someone at work from falling, and he got hurt. He says his back hurts a lot. Thank you, Ms. Darling, for reminding him to go to the doctor to check his back.

I just want to say thank you. That’s all.

Rosa, age 12 

My name is Rosa, and my therapists are Ji Sook [Lim] and Ashley [SanMartin]. Before I had therapy, I couldn’t speak, I didn’t know English, and I didn’t know how to spell. I didn’t want to go to school or read, stuff like that. They wanted to expel me from school. I was always angry, and I would smack my brother. I still do sometimes, but I do it less. I had a lot of aggression, and I felt very angry. I feel better now. I walk around the mall with my therapist, and we talk. I never told anyone this, but I used to wake up and steal food at night when everyone was sleeping. My mom caught me one time and gave me one cookie and told me to go to sleep and didn’t tell my brothers or sister.

I was always hungry at nighttime because I went to bed hungry. There wasn’t enough food, and we were told to go to sleep. But I didn’t listen, and I would steal snacks at night. I couldn’t sleep because I was hungry. Now I don’t wake up in the nighttime wanting to steal food. My mom makes me my favorite food. I go with her to the Peruvian supermarket, and she gets stuff to cook that we didn’t have before. I like it much better this way.