Ms. Jennifer Needs Our Help!

Most of you probably know Jennifer Bouttie as Ms Jennifer. She'd always say she needed to run for mayor of New Iberia in 2030, because all of her babies would be able to vote. She worked at St. Edward School from 2004 until 2015. She was either in room 106 with me, or running summer camp, or dancing at Friday Mass. She is extremely successful in saving money. Oprah Winfrey once said that you should always have 3 years saved incase times get hard. In March of 2020 time started getting hard. She stopped working as a private nanny and began to take care of her older sister. Ms. Jennifer has not worked since that day. She did apply and received unemployment for about 10 months, but she is a true believer in not using the system unless you absolutely need assistance.

In the spring of 2022 she began to experience multiple health issues with high blood pressure being the main issue. That turned into blockage in 3 places around her heart and type 2 Diabetes. Since then she has undergone surgery for a triple bypass, and a partial amputation of her big toe. Luckily, she has great medical coverage and pays very little to receive the care and medication she needs at this time. Her toe is not completely healed and she is scheduled to have one more procedure in about 2 weeks.

If all that isn't enough, she got word last week that her landlord is selling her home of almost 19 years and needs her to move out so that they can renovate. This is where she needs all of our help. She has applied for disability, but that application process takes about 6 months. That money will not come in time for her to move. We are presently looking for a 2 bedroom place for she and her sister, but they do not have the funds to pay a deposit, possibly purchase a refrigerator, and she is in need of a new (to her) bed and sofa, along with groceries and utilities.

The goal I have set is not what she plans on spending, it is how much she may help she and her sister pay for those things they need until she receives her disability.

For the record, this is a last resort for her. She has done everything to not get to this point. If she would not have to find a new place to live she could have probably made it until her disability checks started to arrive. She is a proud woman, who I know is loved by many. If you can donate some that would be greatly appreciated.