“My financial problems started with gall bladder surgery,” said 51-year-old Alba G., a resident of White Plains. After the surgery I was on workmen’s compensation for two months, getting much less than I had earned at my job as a marketing representative.”

Alba suffered a second financial setback when her daughter, who had been living with her and contributing to housing expenses, moved out.

To make matters worse, Alba received a large increase in the common charges for her apartment, which she owns.

Horrified by the big increase, Alba went to the management of her building and told them that she simply couldn’t afford the new fee structure. “They did not want to hear about my problems and the reasons for not being able to afford to pay,” she said. “They just told me that I had to come up with the money.”

Alba soon fell four months behind in payments, but then the Hispanic Coalition referred her to The Bridge Fund of Westchester.

“I went in and explained my situation to them,” she said. “I took all of my documentation to the meeting and they worked very quickly. They brought my mortgage and fees up-to-date. They were just wonderful to me.”

Alba is now working full-time at her former position. “I am also working one late night and one Saturday per month to pay back the loan I received from The Bridge Fund,” she said.

Alba said she can never thank The Bridge Fund enough. “My social worker and the whole staff treated me so well,” she said. “They helped me out during a very difficult time in my life.”