John and Marilyn Rodriguez aren't the kind of people used to asking others for help. John worked hard for the past 45 years, often seven days a week to support his wife and seven children. During that time they never asked for government assistance, though they've been entitled to it, because four of the Rodriguez children are adopted. Marilyn stayed at home to care for this crowded household of wonderful kids. Family and faith are very important to these people.

Then, last year, because of an investment in a family business that failed and ensuing health problems that prevented John from continuing at his job, they found themselves in a hard place: with no income and about to lose their home to bank foreclosure during the holiday season.

Losing a Home
"Last Christmas, we had no money, but thankfully, a friend from our church came to the house dressed as Santa Claus and gave our kids presents," remembers Marilyn. "But on New Year's Day the bank notified us that it was foreclosing on our home. We had no place to go."

Adding to their concerns, two Rodriguez children have health conditions -- John Jr., a 3-year-old bundle of energy, has Down syndrome and suffered from a dangerous heart valve defect during infancy; and adopted son Eric, 15 years old, was recently diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. Other Rodriguez children living at home include Emily, twin sister to Eric; Derrick, 13; Aaliya, 7; and Sandra, who is 4 years old.

Keeping a Family Together
John and Marilyn desperately wanted their family to stay together. A friend of theirs told them to contact the Spanish American Committee. Flor Gomez, the agency's Social Service Program Coordinator, met with them to put together a plan of action to get the family back on its feet. United Way of Greater Cleveland helps fund the Spanish American Committee's Family Support Centers program.

"When I first talked with John and Marilyn, I determined that it was too late to do anything about the home's mortgage," said Flor. She went to work contacting various shelters to find one that could accommodate such a large family. Flor got the Rodriguez family connected with Interfaith Hospitality Network, and as a result, several churches hosted the family over the next few months.

Referrals for food stamps, Social Security Insurance assistance and day care followed through the Spanish American Committee's efforts. A number of health and human service agencies helped out the family in their time of need, and by April, through Cleveland Housing Network, the Rodriguez's were placed in a clean, well-maintained home of their own on Cleveland's east side.

"John and Marilyn did everything they needed to do to keep their family together," said Flor. "Our agency strives to help families maintain their self-sufficiency. It was a team effort."

Marilyn also got a job with the assistance of the Spanish American Committee, working as a translator for a mortgage loan service company.

Back on Track
"If it wasn't for Flor Gomez and the Spanish American Committee, I don't know where we'd be," said Marilyn. We wouldn't have gotten connected with all these wonderful people and agencies who've been so helpful to us. And she gave me the courage and confidence to go into the workforce after years of being at home."

For John Rodriguez, the generosity and compassion of others is a moving experience. "It's tremendous to me that in this country there are such caring people. So many people stepped up to the plate to help us -- I'm grateful to be an American, where there are folks that would go that extra mile to help us get a new home and a fresh start."

The Rodriguez family members have much to be thankful for -- their faith and love for each other enabled them to weather tough times and regain what they lost. And because of it, our whole community gains by helping them. Welcome home.

The Spanish American Committee is now in its 40th year of service to the community in Cuyahoga County. For more information about this organization, call 216-961-2100 or visit their Web site.

United Way funds nearly 180 health and human service programs helping more than 400,000 Greater Cleveland residents every year. To find out more, call 216-436-2100 or visit uws.org.