FEATURE

Have-a-Heart Month

Have-a-Heart Month: Donate today to support your union family

Members share stories of transformation thanks to funds

When Melody Deal was out last January through April following hand surgery, she exhausted all her sick leave and vacation time. Soon after, her annual mammogram revealed early stages of breast cancer. Forced to take leave again to undergo treatment, Deal could no longer receive full-time pay through the school district and quickly became short on paying her bills.

Melody Deal, a custodian with Yuba College Chapter 283, encourages members who need the support to apply to the Dorothy Bjork Assistance Fund.

“I just figured I would apply and see where it went. You know, I truly didn't have any expectations... I don't know what I would've done without it.”

-Melody Deal, Custodian,Yuba College Chapter 283

“I was panicked and like, ‘What happens now?’” Deal recalls. A custodian with Yuba College Chapter 283, Deal began searching for resources when she came across CSEA’s Dorothy Bjork Assistance Fund, which was created in the 1980s by then-State President Dorothy Bjork to provide financial relief to members in need. The Assistance Fund receives monies solely from donations, and February has been designated as Have-a-Heart Month each year to focus on raising and increasing donations. Deal reached out, seeking assistance with rent, electric and insurance bills. “I just figured I would apply and see where it went. You know, I truly didn't have any expectations,” she said. Soon after completing the application, it was approved, which helped her pay rent that month. “I don't know what I would've done without it,” Deal said. Deal recently finished chemotherapy and returned to work on January 2. Her application was one of hundreds received in 2021 by CSEA’s Humanitarian Committee, which reviews and approves the funds to be disbursed. Since June of last year, 337 members have received more than $17,500 through the Humanitarian arm of the Assistance Fund and 107 members have received $34,600 through the Emergency portion.

Cherie Whipple, a senior administrative assistant with Plumas COE Chapter 230, is thankful for the support she received from the Dorothy Bjork Assistance Fund.

The reasons members apply vary greatly, including members asking for help with funeral costs for loved ones, keeping the power on so their children could continue learning during the pandemic, paying medical bills and helping them to rebuild their lives following tragic wildfires and other disasters. Cherie Whipple, a senior administrative assistant with Plumas COE Chapter 230, is one of many members who received support after the Dixie Fire ravaged the town of Greenville and destroyed her home on August 4, 2021. “We lost everything we’ve worked for in 40 years,” Whipple said. “We lost all of our clothing, personal items, family pictures, family heirlooms, mementos, furniture, eight cords of winter wood, etc.” Her Chapter President, Chris Retallack, told Whipple about the Assistance Fund and she applied. “I really appreciate the support from CSEA members and our chapter during such a difficult time,” Whipple said.

Karen Knecht, vice president of Retiree Council 5012 and communication officer for Buena Park Chapter 569, began donating to the Assistance Fund regularly after she knew members who lost everything from the Paradise Fire.

“It is an easy way of giving back or, as some people would say, paying it forward”

-Karen Knecht, Vice President of Retiree Council 5012 and Communication Officer for Buena Park Chapter 569

Karen Knecht began donating years ago when she received a call for support. From that point, the vice president of Retiree Council 5012 and communications officer for Buena Park Chapter 569 often contributed at CSEA’s Annual Conference where they “passed the bucket” on behalf of the Assistance Fund.

But when the Paradise Fire happened, the desire to help hit her particularly hard. “It was the first time I actually knew people who had lost everything,” she recalled. Knecht then decided to help by making a large donation. The following year she did the same, and a year later Knecht began donating monthly. “It is an easy way of giving back or, as some people would say, paying it forward,” Knecht said. “I would encourage people to give what they can because you never know if one day you will need the help the Humanitarian Fund can give you.” Deal agrees, encouraging members who need help to apply to the Assistance Fund. “I don't like to ask anybody for anything, but there are times in life that you have to do whatever you need to do at that time to get you through what you're experiencing,” she said. “I would say, just don't hesitate if you're in a situation where you feel that you need help to do it.”

Elizabeth Palafox, purchasing assistant with Santa Barbara Chapter 37, said that the application process was "very easy" and CSEA staff were incredibly helpful when she reached out for assistance.

Elizabeth Palafox, a purchasing assistant with Santa Barbara Chapter 37, applied when she and her family suffered a disaster. Palafox’s family lost their home, belongings and even her two cats, who she considered her “babies”, in a fire. Her family of seven suddenly found themselves displaced, five of whom were children ranging in age from four months to 18 years.

“This whole process was very easy, too. CSEA staff is so understanding and very helpful. They made me feel so comfortable.”

-Elizabeth Palafox, Purchasing Assistant, Santa Barbara Chapter 37

“We were homeless for a little over a month,” Palafox said. One of Palafox's coworkers told her about the Assistance Fund and she was granted money, which she used as a deposit for a new home. Palafox shared that “this whole process was very easy, too. CSEA staff is so understanding and very helpful. They made me feel so comfortable.” Like the many members before her who have received assistance, Palafox is grateful for the support that got her through such a challenging time in her life. “I honestly don’t know where I would be if I didn’t have that money. Thank you so much CSEA for all the support. I couldn’t have done this without your help,” Palafox said.

Application process

If you find yourself in need of assistance, this is the application process:

Fill out the applicable application here, submit it to humanitarian@csea.com or call 866-ITS-CSEA (487-2732) and they will walk you through the details.
Provide supporting documents, such as past due bills. For example, if a member is applying due to a loss in the family, they should attach funeral bills and/or a death certificate with the application.
After the application is submitted, it is reviewed and, if needed, the member will be contacted for additional documents that help demonstrate need.
It is then sent to the Humanitarian Committee for review and decision.
Once approved, the member is notified.