Although Sheryl B. had suffered a stroke prior to her marriage in 2000 to husband David, the Mount Vernon couple managed well for the first few years. Sheryl had a problem with speech and some physical impairment, but otherwise functioned well. David had a stable job driving an ambulette.

But things began to unravel after the birth of their baby girl, Miriam.

“When Sheryl came home from the hospital with Miriam, I had to take time off to care for both of them,” said David. “I couldn’t get any kind of help and was off work for about three weeks.Suddenly, we weren’t able to pay our rent on time.”

David went back to work when his daughter was only 20 days old. “I found a baby sitter for $200 a week,” he said. “I was getting up at 3 a.m. to take care of my wife and then take the baby to the sitter. I was constantly worried about both of them and about the back rent.”

David tried to get help from the Department of Social Services but was denied.

He then called 211 for phone numbers for agencies, David said. “I went to one and they referred me to The Bridge Fund.”

The Bridge Fund gave David immediate help, paying the one month’s rent that was in arrears, “They were just great,” he said. “I have now paid them back in full.”

Although David is still paying for the care of his wife and child, a program supported by Medicaid provides professional therapy and counseling for Sheryl. “I have a new job with the New York State Thruway Authority and things are a lot better,” he said. “We have turned the corner but couldn’t have done it without The Bridge Fund.”