Testimonials

"I Want to Stay in School....."

    She is in her first months of cosmetology school and her husband has contracted hepatitis and has an enlarged heart.  His loss of income, the high utility costs, and her disabled son's care put too much strain on the family budget.  The many medical trips with her husband have jeopardized her attendance in school.

    In tears, she poured out her anguish to the RIFA staff.  She yearns to complete school so she can earn a good living for her family.

    After contacting the school to verify attendance and good grades, RIFA brought her tuition current and RIFA FISH provides transportation for her husband's medical care. 

    Wanting to "give back", she is now providing free haircuts at the Soup Kitchen for the men and women who eat there!

 

Proud Mom Turns to RIFA Home Repair for Help

     Linda was so proud of her new home.  She purchased it for $100.  It would take a lot of work, but she was determined to provide a home of their own for herself and her son.

    She bought an upright piano for $50, hoping her talented son would learn to play the piano and be able to help pay his way through college.

    Now eight years later, her son is a junior at the University of Memphis, but the home is still in need of a lot of work.

    Linda has worked very hard on improvements through the years, but her meager salary does not afford the luxury of having professionals do the things she cannot do.  She has stripped the beautiful old mantle; she has nailed plastic over the drafty windows, and much more.

    But her living room and dining room had no sheet rock (no interior walls), no ceiling, and no insulation - only exterior walls and roof.  The cold wind whips through the openings between boards an the hot summer temperatures increase her utility bills so there is no extra money for needed repairs.

    RIFA organized a volunteer church work team and spent a couple weekends creating a "new" living room and dining room for Linda with insulation, ceilings, walls, and lighting.  Linda, her son, and her two nephews helped so the work would go faster  -  and they learned some new skills in the process!

    Linda is very appreciative of the love shown by others to her, a complete stranger.  Linda wants to do the same for other "strangers" and came to RIFA last week to apply for a volunteer job so she can serve others in need!