Grants

Douglass, 67, had a surgery to remove his cancerous bladder and prostate. Doctors were able to construct a new bladder from his small intestine. Tubes were used to deal with his temporary incontinence. Douglass used incontinence pull-ups as he heals. His health problems and resulting bills, meant he was financially challenged while his insurance company denied covering the needed pads. The Rob Benzon Foundation provided several months of needed pull- ups incontinence supplies so he could make a safe and comfortable recovery.

Grant was made October 2019

Kevin M. was a local massage therapist that always would volunteer his time for local charity events helping the LGBTQ community until his own health took an unexpected turn for the worse. His family had a history of kidney issues and Kevin it turns out, was no exception, He was going to require a kidney transplant. He was scheduled for a kidney transplant but last minute heart problems brought about an unexpected delay to his surgery. This also meant more unexpected medical bills and more time not being able to work. Our foundation approved a grant for both rental assistance and groceries to provide him with both stable housing and nutritious food during his recovery.

Grant was made September 2019

Patrick was a 56 year old man who had been suffering from AIDS and associated issues for years. He was unemployed, without significant assets resulting from fall several months prior that shattered both his wrists so he was unable to work, drive or deal with other daily tasks. With four needed surgeries and a long road to recovery ahead of him, a disability insurance mistake meant an unexpected delay that left him without funds to pay his bills. The Rob Benzon Foundation approved a grant for his rent to prevent his impending eviction and thus allow him the time to heal without further hardship.

Grant was made August 2019

Jose was a 36 year old man suffering from AIDS and until a few months ago homeless. Despite his situation and through several battles with severe illness, he decided 3 years ago to change his life around. He completed 2 years of community college and was accepted to Cal State San Marcos where he received a Cal Grant for financial aid covering most of his tuition per semester leaving him still slightly short for this semester’s tuition. He was not in a position to borrow the additional funds and has no other source of payment. Our foundation provided a grant of much needed emergency tuition funds to allow him to finish his education to get his degree.

Grant was made August 2019

Swantay E. was a 38 year old woman raising a 6 year old daughter who had been served a 3 day notice to quit. She had a history of steady employment but recently suffered a severe attack from her abusive spouse which on top of her physical injury, triggered a PTSD reoccurrence that she first suffered from when her mother was murdered years ago. Her hospitalization and psychiatric treatment caused her great financial hardship which caused her to fall behind on her rent. The Rob Benzon foundation approved a grant to cover her rent so she and her daughter would not be evicted from their apartment.

Grant was made July 2019

Haydee was fighting a brave fight against cancer. Because of her illness, her bills became insurmountable to the point that she could not afford her critically needed medical insurance. Our foundation approved a grant to fund the cost of reinstating her medical insurance so she could maintain her life-saving treatment schedule.

Grant made June 2019

LLLAC is the 4th oldest Sober Community Center in the country. They provide meeting space to 1,000 participants per week with over 45 weekly Twelve-step recovery meetings which include meetings about alcohol, drugs, co-dependency, nicotine and the list goes on. LLLAC was told they were being evicted from their long-time location and they needed help to relocate to a new location. Our foundation approved a grant for assistance with their first month’s rent in a new location which allowed them to open their doors promptly and maintain assisting the community with no interruptions to their vital community meeting schedule.

Grant made June 2019

A grant was approved for Bernard, in the form of one month’s rental assistance, after the sudden and unexpected illness and death of his best friend and roommate, Tad. Bernard was overwhelmed with expenses associated with this tragic event and we were able to help him avoid eviction.

Grant made June 2019

The Foundation assisted Leighton who was being treated for breast cancer by paying her rent while she received treatment.

Grant made in April 2019

Lew is a person who was assaulted first, then in visiting the hospital, blood work and tests showed him to have prostate cancer. He was also in a car accident the same month with a $1,000. deductible. Because Lew’s ongoing illness, the hospital stays and ongoing bills that came with it, Lew was unable to pay his rent on time and was facing eviction from his apartment. The Foundation provided 3 months of rental assistance which allowed Lew to remain in his home and receive the medical care he needed without the fear of becoming homeless.

Grant made in March 2019