While working full-time on Sanibel, a single woman suddenly faced a dental emergency that threw her finances off course. An unplanned oral surgery, post-surgery complications and lost wages from missed work quickly spiraled into late rent, overdue utilities, and car payments she couldn’t cover.
“I had just enough to pay my electric bill, but that was it,” she recalled. “I was embarrassed to ask for help.” She cut expenses to the bare minimum, picked up every shift possible, and even sold belongings online, but the bills kept piling up.
FISH stepped in through the Helping Hands Rent Assistance program, funded by The Sanctuary Golf Club Foundation, and covered her rent. This gave her the space she needed to get back on her feet.
“FISH is an incredible nonprofit,” she said. “They’ve helped me twice — once for a continuing education opportunity and now by helping me catch up on bills. The rent payment gave me the space to get back on track. I honestly don’t know where I’d be without them.”
Nitza Lopez, FISH Social Services Director, said: “When a medical issue happens, it doesn’t just hurt your health — it shakes everything else too. Helping with her rent meant she didn’t have to choose between healing and keeping her home.”
She now feels more financially secure and is finishing her continuing education, which she hopes will lead to greater employment stability.
