This article is from a resident named Gilma Merino. She has lived in Jubilee Housing for over 20 years, raising four kids, ages 4 – 28, with a degenerative eye condition that has left her blind. Despite that, Ms. Merino is a leader, having served on the Jubilee Board of Directors and acting as a long-time advocate for affordable housing and disability rights before the Mayor and City Council. She is also a kind and supportive neighbor, cooking meals for seniors and always giving back when she can.

Ms. Merino reached out to Jubilee staff to let us know how much she appreciates the support she’s received since the coronavirus started. She asked us to share this with our donors so they too understand what their presence in her life means to her.

It has been so hard these last few months. When the schools closed and my kids came home, I couldn’t help them with their homework or access their classes because everything is virtual. And with the daycares closed, I also have to be a full-time mom as well. It’s been so hard to see my children struggling – one has ADHD, which makes learning at home even more difficult. Another couldn’t go to his class graduation, or take the class field trip he had been looking forward to all year. All of this makes me feel guilty, because my disability gets in the way.

On top of that, I lost my mentor of over 13 years to coronavirus. She was the one who taught me how to be a parent, and was always there to support me. I was so depressed when I heard she had passed and would no longer be in my life. 

I say all this to emphasize how thankful I am to Jubilee and all the supporters from the community. The outpouring of support from everyone has been incredible, and I want everyone to know that it is noticed and appreciated by Jubilee residents. It makes me feel less alone, that there’s a team out there that cares for me and that they’re never going to leave, even when things get hard.

The meals from Geppetto Catering are so wonderful. I remember making a meal for and eating with the owner of Geppetto in my home three years ago. Now things are coming back around and he’s making meals for me. 

The virus can kill lots of things but there’s one thing it can’t kill: that’s the natural human instinct to help one another in times of need. When I see my neighbors, we help each other. I cook lunch for the seniors around me, and save some of the food from Geppetto to share with others outside Jubilee. This kindness, this compassion, I learned from being a part of Jubilee all these years.

This is the legacy that Jubilee and its funders are giving us, and I needed to let everyone know this. I felt like I had a cup so full that it would spill over if I didn’t share.

I miss you all so much. Thank you, funders of Jubilee Housing, that you have not left us alone.