Widows 911

The Widows 911 Fund is for widows to receive monetary support as needed. Proof of relationship and need are required. While we focus on street widows, we are aware of the resource gap that exists for young widows in general. Widows of any cause are eligible to apply for Widows 911 assistance.

Support requests are accepted for funeral expenses, housing, childcare, extra-curricular activities, transportation, and other hardships on a case-by-case basis.

When thrown into widowhood women face an immediate loss of income (sometimes the primary or only income for their household) yet are faced with unexpected and large expenses that must be paid in a quick amount of time to lay their significant other to rest properly. 

Testimonial 

My husband was killed in my car which had both car seats. I couldn't drive anywhere with my 9-month-old and 3-year-old until I purchased new car seats. While my car was still mobile, it had several bullet holes (which created safety concerns) and had a traumatic impact on my mental health. For that reason, I traded in my vehicle but didn't have a down payment due to paying for funeral expenses out of pocket. 

A lot of people shunned us for not having life insurance, but I had just left my full-time job with benefits to pursue a real estate career and was in my 20's I never thought either of us would die at that age.

Being that we lived 6 hours away from our hometown, in addition to burial expenses my husband's body had to be flown back home where he could receive the final arrangements that he deserved surrounded by loved ones. This was an additional $5,000 alone.

No one was ever arrested or charged with my husband's murder which added to my fear for safety. Who did this? Do they know where I live? Are they waiting to rob my home knowing that I'm alone now? There was also an extremely traumatic association with being in the home without my husband, which prompted an immediate move. 

Thank God, with support, I met the financial obligations during my first 2 weeks as a widow. I couldn't image driving the car he was killed in, living in fear for my safety with two children, or having to bury my husband alone without family and friends saying their final goodbyes.

I consider myself privileged, as many widows do not have the financial means, savings, or support. But, it wasn't until further into the pandemic when I lost my job, it was one year after the death that a natural disaster left my children and me homeless...these were the times when I needed financial support and had nowhere to turn.