An outpouring of concern and donations have overwhelmed Jasmine Ingram, who said she may soon be homeless with her children if she does not receive a housing unit through the Rockingham Housing Authority.
Still, in the last days of being able to stay with friends, Ingram said she has become tired of waiting on others and is trying to find ways to make her own situation better.
“I’m not looking for hand-outs — I’m looking for a hand up,” she said. Her dilemma was first reported in the Daily Journal on Tuesday.
She is working on setting up an online account that people can donate to if they wish, as many have expressed this desire in numerous calls to the newspaper.
“I’m so grateful for these things,” said Ingram, about the outpouring of concern from the community.
One woman offered to pay the bill of her storage unit, which Ingram received when an unexpectedly high power bill came due. The power bill of $875 caused her to get behind on her rent payment, and her landlord asked her to leave.
“This lady offered to pay my storage unit bill, but I had just gotten caught up on that, so she donated $25 to me,” said Ingram. “Every bit helps.”
Ingram is also trying to figure out how she can continue to pursue her online college classes through Sandhills Community College while she deals with the possibility of being homeless. She may be denied financial aide if her situation doesn’t change.
“I’m not a deadbeat,” she said. “I’m not going to beg. No one is going to keep me poor. I was not born poor and my children won’t be poor.”
Ingram continues to work and pay off her bills, but she hopes she can be a voice for others experiencing the housing void while struggling with children. She said she sent emails and called the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, D.C., Shaun Donovan. Ingram said she is concerned about others in her situation, or worse.
“I was surprised to learn there were folks living under the bridge,” she said. “What is this world coming to … as small as our county is, we let our own die. This is ridiculous. How are we supposed to raise our children?”
Ingram waits on a list, name 10 of 80, for a housing unit through the Rockingham Housing Authority, who said that although eligible, she may not get a unit. Ingram has three children; an 8-year-old daughter, a 12-year-old daughter and a 14-year-old son. Because of the age of her son, she was not qualified to be admitted to transitional housing. She also learned shortly after being put out of her home that her second daughter has type 2 diabetes.
“My daughter got her diabetic strips taken care of, so I’m glad about that,” she said with relief in her voice.
If you have resources to hold a fundraiser or wish to help Ingram in some way, contact Staff Writer Dawn M. Kurry at 910-997-3111, ext. 15, or by email at dkurry@heartlandpublications.com.
I don't believe you "I would work depending on the semester." How did you work 2-3 jobs and go to school?
I know you are not telling the truth about the Financial Aid Office.unless you were attending the "redneck U." no Aid office would tell a student that load of ##@#@####.
The rest of the writers need to learn proper word usuage not spellcheck. Spellcheck will give you the correct spelling but not always the right word. Just a hint!
Yes depending on my school workload I was able to work 2-3 jobs, around my school schedule. I worked in the hospital, home health, and at a doctors office..so yeah step in my shoes or ask my loved ones..I only had 4 days off a month..so again you dont know what you are talking about, so get it right.
Also I know she doesnt have to drive for online classes, but you do have to register in person ya know and my question was if she was so worried about online classes and not meeting deadlines..how is she able to get online to check for monetary donations????
Next, you should be ashamed of yourself to talk about your community college in a such a negative way right? And yes I was told this, and I would announce the name of the lady, but Im not here for that. Such negativity, example "Redneck U" !!!
As far as my grammar, I could care less of what you and others think, Im trying to be short and to the point without rambling on. Wow to you, on such a potty mouth like really?? And you have the nerve to call me out, get a grip! reference to your load of "_____" comment just fyi since Im having to clarify so much to you.
Again, usually a person who gets evicted is usually 3 months behind on rent, and if she is telling both parties (Electric Company and Landlord) she cant pay either of them, where did her money go if she is working and all her children have healthcare insurance i.e. Medicaid.
Instead of giving her money, lets provide her with a place to stay, Im sure you wouldnt mind housing them right?? As previously said, I dont mind helping people in need, just does she really need it, because her story does not add up!!!!
So again, she is not telling the full truth! So which is it? She became homeless because of her electric bill but now its an electric fire.
Go figure! Again, sounds like a scam to me!
Im not negative and I donate all the time to my community, but what makes her situation any different from anyone else in the county, state, and world wide. Instead of giving her monetary donations, can someone please provide housing for her?? That would be more of a solution than money. Lets see she got evicted because of the power bill so high that she couldnt pay it but then couldnt pay the landlord rent so where did her money go??
Yes she might be going back to school to better herself, but there is only so many classes you can take online for any type of curriculum anyone is majoring in. I just dont think she is telling the truth and you just proved it, so which one was it? House (electrical fire) or She got evicted due to not paying the rent along with the power bill (which Progess Energy was willing to work with her on 2 payments for the whole year)..again just interesting..so the REAL TRUTH will be revealed!!!
Also where are the children's father and maybe DSS needs to step in, since she cannot provide a stable and safe environment for her children. Maybe they need to be contacted as well!!!!
I say the landlord owes Ms. Ingram her rent deposit & reimbursement of some electricity charges. That would be a good start. Has anybody offered legal services?
In my personal life, I had to pay for college out of my pocket, I had to work depending on the semester ...I had to work 2-3 jobs while going to nursing school. As far as a "hand up" ..I am proud to say..I did this without any help from the government or from the community because I would never degrade my worth and pride to even post anything publicly. I guess you have no shame nor pride in the things you do. I do not believe this person is giving the actual truth in this scenario especially to get behind on rent and light bill.
It upsets me that she claims she is homeless with children and it is really hard for me to believe that the Housing Authority or any section 8 is not available out there for this lady. She claims she is waiting on a unit from Rockingham Housing Authority..well lady there are more section 8 housing along with income based apartments in this county.
If this lady is so worried about an education, maybe she should transfer to RCC for her online classes maybe it would ease the need to drive to Moore County for classes. hint: gas money
Also maybe she will use her pell grant wisely when she does get it. Must be nice for her to receive pell grant. Something I have never seen while going to college. Also being she is going to SCC they do accept Stafford Loans which you pay back when you graduate, just fyi. It just upsets me so much, when I needed help to go to school I was told by the Financial Aid Office, that I had two options in order to receive pell grant: 1. Quit my job, which humm how would I pay my car payment and get to school if I did or 2. I was told to go have babies. Go figure right!!!
Also maybe if people would have this mentality of thinking... Sorry the government isnt your baby daddy!!!!!! Also where are her children's father...maybe he should be concerned of the unfit mother who seems to be unstable and not providing a "stable" environment for these children along with maybe DSS should be involved now as well.
You should try applying at HUD-funded & income-based properties. With all your self-paid education, you shouldn't have a problem navigating the system.
Maybe DSS can work with CS & get the 'baby daddy' to support his kids.
Btw, federal loans don't pay for community college if you receive Pell grants. & there's not always a refund. Just fyi.
Where I come from, calling a mother "unfit" is grounds for an altercation. Especially when you;re not offering to help remedy the situation...