A Fresh Start for a Growing Family

As a Family Service Coordinator at St. Louise Resource Services (StLRS), I regularly support families facing urgent food insecurity. Recently, I worked with a single mother of two, including a two-month-old newborn, who had lost her CalFresh benefits after missing her renewal deadline. With only $1,000 per month in child support and unable to return to work while recovering postpartum, she was struggling to meet her family’s basic needs.

When she came to StLRS, she was overwhelmed and unsure of how she would feed her children. Together, we completed a new CalFresh application, walking through each step of the process to ensure she understood and felt supported throughout. Shortly afterward, she received confirmation that her benefits had been reinstated.

The client expressed immense relief and gratitude, sharing that she had felt lost and alone before receiving support. She shared that regaining her CalFresh benefits allowed her to focus on caring for her newborn without the constant stress of food insecurity. She emphasized that the assistance she received made a meaningful difference for her family during a critical time.

This experience reinforced the importance of timely, compassionate support. Helping this family regain access to CalFresh benefits was not just about completing an application; it was about restoring stability, dignity, and peace of mind during a vulnerable moment. Moments like this are why we continue showing up for the families we serve.