FISH of Sanibel-Captiva reported that while working full-time on Sanibel, a 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 spiraled into late rent, overdue utilities and car payments that she could not cover. 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 its Helping Hands Rent Assistance program, funded by The Sanctuary Golf Club Foundation, and covered her rent. It gave her the space that she needed to get back on her feet.
“When a medical issue happens, it doesn’t just hurt your health — it shakes everything else too,” FISH Social Services Director Nitza Lopez said. “Helping with her rent meant she didn’t have to choose between healing and keeping her home.”
For more information about FISH, contact 239-472-4775 or visit www.fishofsancap.org.