Poverty and Health (Q1 2013)

Featured beneficiary in the POVERTY & HEALTH category for first quarter 2013:

MODEST NEEDS FOUNDATION

Modest Needs works to meet the needs of the hardworking, low income members of our society, who are often left without a safety net when unexpected expenses occur.  A medical bill, unexpected move, or lost wages may be the first step into another cycle of poverty or debt.  Modest Needs attempts to stop the poverty cycle; offering grants to encourage self-sufficiency in this low-income population.

According to their mission statement, the goals of Modest Needs include,

• "To prevent otherwise financially self-sufficient individuals and families from entering the cycle of poverty, when this might be avoided with a small amount of well-timed financial assistance;
• To restore the financial self-sufficiency of individuals who are willing to work but are temporarily unemployed by providing these persons with the means to return to work;
• To empower permanently disadvantaged individuals who otherwise live within their limited means to continue to live independently, despite a temporary, unexpected financial set-back related to their medical conditions; and
• To strengthen small non-profit organizations by providing a forum whereby such organizations can apply directly to the general public for the help they need to complete the relatively inexpensive projects that will allow them to better serve their clients and communities."

The words of people receiving grants show the power of the assistance that Modest Needs provides:

"My son and I are extremely grateful for the monetary assistance you provided to us. It was only because of your help that I was able to keep my apartment. Without this help, i don’t (sic) know what would have happen to us, i am so thankful for your help. Your generosity and help have been a strong support and an inspiration to me. Thank you again for all your assistance; monetary and moral support. With many love and thanks, your help is very much appreciated. Thanks so much."
-- omari2002 Bronx (NY)

"THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!! The generosity and willingness for people like yourself to reach out and help those in need is extremely inspirational to me and to my family. I did not expect to be able to make my rent and pay all my bills. I am a college graduate who works very hard just to make ends meet while dealing with college loan payments, and supporting myself through life. I did not expect hurricane Sandy to personally affect me because I do live in Brooklyn; however, I was without work for two weeks. I missed half a month of work, but that doesn't mean I can pay half my bills, or half my rent. The generosity of people like yourself has given me the extra boost needed to fulfill my fiscal needs and for that I am ever grateful and will, once I am in a position of financial stability, look to pay this forward to further demonstrate my utmost gratitude to you. Again, it cannot be said enough, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!" ~Kyle
-- kyleszymonek Brooklyn (NY)

"I am having trouble finding the right words to express my appreciation to the Modest Needs Donors for helping us with this light bill. Your generousity (sic) has overwhelmed me. Now me my husband, Albert are truly thankful and can enjoy our Thanksgiving with hope and free from the stress that was hanging over our heads. This will certainly help us to aid in Albert's recovery and healing process and enable us a little more time and funds to pay our other obligations since we are receiving so many medical bills. Again, thank you and 'Happy Thanksgiving' to all."
-- AlbertWill12 Savannah (GA)

The direct aid provided by Modest Needs makes tangible differences in the lives of many people – so much so that, in 2012, 67% of their previous grant recipients became donors, when they becamefinancially stable enough to pay forward the help that they had received.

 Foundation Beyond Belief is proud to support the efforts of an organization doing so much to assist an often-neglected section of the population.