New ad campaign aims to help people avoid eviction
SEATTLE -- New billboards popping up around King County are part of an important mission to help people avoid eviction.
The St. Vincent de Paul Society launched its first ever billboard ads after getting more than 50,000 calls from people who can't pay their rent.
One of those 50,000 is DeDe Martin, who rents a small house in Fall City.
Martin is over 50, unemployed, and so far behind in rent that the landlord wants to evict him.
"I've never experienced this my whole life," she said. "It's a very scary thing."
Martin is not alone in this predicament, and St. Vincent de Paul Society says no one needs to go through this alone.
"If we can help people fight the eviction, it's cheaper than finding a new place for them," said Bob Rohrbach., a volunteer with St. Vincent de Paul Society.
The calls for help to St. Vincent topped 50,000 this year. Rohrbach says many people don't realize their neighbors are also struggling. He says once they become involved, they can help negotiate with the landlord, offer rent and utility assistance and even help people find resources they might have already missed.
It worked for Martin, who got help paying her utilities and rent.
"I don't want to leave my little house," she said. "I've been here 15 years. It's the longest I've ever lived in any place my whole life."
St. Vincent calls it Compassion in Action, but with more and more calls coming in for help, the charity needs more donations so it launched its first ever billboard campaign.
"And it's that partnering and that leveraging of resources, that usually saves the day," Rohrbach said.
Rohrbach's been volunteering for St Vincent for close to 40 years and says the success rate is very high.
"It's a real blessing when you know that there are people out there who care," he said.
St. Vincent launched five billboards to show it cares enough to do what it can to stop evictions and homelessness and get others to take action to help it continue its mission.
The charity paid for the first round and now Clear Channel is matching with a second round.
If you would like to learn more about St Vincent’s programs or make a donation, go to svdpseattle.org
The St. Vincent de Paul Society launched its first ever billboard ads after getting more than 50,000 calls from people who can't pay their rent.
One of those 50,000 is DeDe Martin, who rents a small house in Fall City.
Martin is over 50, unemployed, and so far behind in rent that the landlord wants to evict him.
"I've never experienced this my whole life," she said. "It's a very scary thing."
Martin is not alone in this predicament, and St. Vincent de Paul Society says no one needs to go through this alone.
"If we can help people fight the eviction, it's cheaper than finding a new place for them," said Bob Rohrbach., a volunteer with St. Vincent de Paul Society.
The calls for help to St. Vincent topped 50,000 this year. Rohrbach says many people don't realize their neighbors are also struggling. He says once they become involved, they can help negotiate with the landlord, offer rent and utility assistance and even help people find resources they might have already missed.
It worked for Martin, who got help paying her utilities and rent.
"I don't want to leave my little house," she said. "I've been here 15 years. It's the longest I've ever lived in any place my whole life."
St. Vincent calls it Compassion in Action, but with more and more calls coming in for help, the charity needs more donations so it launched its first ever billboard campaign.
"And it's that partnering and that leveraging of resources, that usually saves the day," Rohrbach said.
Rohrbach's been volunteering for St Vincent for close to 40 years and says the success rate is very high.
"It's a real blessing when you know that there are people out there who care," he said.
St. Vincent launched five billboards to show it cares enough to do what it can to stop evictions and homelessness and get others to take action to help it continue its mission.
The charity paid for the first round and now Clear Channel is matching with a second round.
If you would like to learn more about St Vincent’s programs or make a donation, go to svdpseattle.org
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