Connecting to Advantages

	Jackie Sotomayer Jackie Sotomayer is a "poster child" for our system of making community leaders out of clients. She is a volunteer at Connecting to Advantages' site at Our Lady of Sorrows food pantry every Wednesday. Not a polished reader/writer, but passionate about giving the correct information to the clients she serves, she attends every one of our monthly training classes, comes early, volunteers for the role plays we use in our training, and has her own personal set of Information Sheets at home to study from. She does outreach in her own housing project, thus bringing CtA's information to the broader community.
	Angelica Hernandez I, Edith Santiago, am writing for my friend Angelica Hernandez because she can't write. Before, she received $20 in food stamps per month. Now, she receives $104/month, because in the church they helped her. (Ms. Hernandez lives in NYCHA Public Housing; she showed the food stamp office that she pays extra for air conditioning and a washer. Thus, her food stamps increased.)
	Richard Widstrand My name is Richard Widstrand. The help that I received from Connecting to Advantages helped me get my taxes. Now I successfully have a checking account with Chase, first time in my life. Thank God. Thank you for your assistance.
	Edith Santiago I am Edith Santiago. They were taking money from my SSI check each month for Medicare parts B and D. With the help of this program, now Medicare is paid for, so there is no deduction from my SSI payment. I also no longer have to pay for medicine or for doctor visits.
	Samuel Rodriguez I, Samuel Rodriguez, came to the Metropolitan Community Church food pantry to do my income tax, and they helped me out. (As his income is from Social Security, Connecting to Advantages helped with both the NYC School Tax Refund and the Federal Stimulus Rebate.)
	Jose Pallaves One day I came to the church, St. Paul's House, and they helped me receive the tax money (NYC School Tax Credit money). I bought clothes, and I'm very happy of the service.
	Xiomara Fernandez I deserved a 1/2 fare Metrocard and I didn't know how to get one even though I am eligible. I came to St. Paul's House and I got the flyer with the dates and places to find the Metrocard Van. I went there and they took my picture and they gave me the Temporary card and I'm very happy.
	Bianca Rothermal I went to the church that has housing lawyers that give landlord help, West Side Tenants Union, because my landlord refused to send us the new lease to sign. The lawyer there said she'd call the management of my building and get them to send me my new lease. I haven't gotten it yet, but will check.
	Aida Pagan I filled out the tax papers on February 25, 2009. I just recieved one check for $115. (the other 3 checks, for other years, will follow).
	Lamos Gilbert I just registered to vote and I hope my vote makes a difference.
	Gloria Acevedo I came to Our Lady of Sorrows. I did not know that I qualify for food stamps. As I was waiting for food pantry, I spoke to a lady who informed me about food stamps. With the information that I received I was able to get food stamps of $398 for my family.