Season for Caring raised $1.4 million in 2022. Here's how it changed the lives of families

Scott Harvey thinks about this past year with his mom, Sheri, 80.

"I don't know if we could have kept going," Harvey, 53, said.

The pandemic caused Harvey's real estate business to grind to a halt. After his father's death, he became the caregiver and provider for his mother. They were behind in rent at her senior care facility and facing eviction. He already had been evicted and was renting a space through Airbnb.

The Statesman's Season for Caring philanthropic program selected the Harvey family for last year's program.

With help from the nonprofit program and their nominating agency, AGE of Central Texas, the Harveys have caught up on her rent. Scott Harvey is working full-time, and their situation has stabilized. Sheri Harvey has even made a friend at her senior center and is happier.

"You really did save us," Scott Harvey said of Season for Caring and its donors. "We are extremely grateful to this program."

The 25th Statesman Season for Caring program will launch Nov. 19 with a new batch of families selected by local nonprofit agencies. Since the program began in 1999, Season for Caring has donated $18.4 million to local nonprofit organizations with the community's support.

In addition to the selected families, the funds help other families supported by the nominating agencies.

Today, we look back on where last year's families (listed along with their sponsors) are and how this program made a difference in their lives.

Juana Betancurt, SAFE Alliance

"Everything has been of a great blessing in our lives," said Juana Betancurt, 39. The domestic violence survivor and her seven children were able to find a new house with rent paid for using Season for Caring donations.

"Economically, I feel less stress," Betancurt said. She continues to work in cleaning jobs, but she is able to support the family. "The children are very happy. All the people who helped us, thank you so much for being a part of our lives."

Shogufa Afshar, Interfaith Action of Central Texas

Before Shogufa Afshar, 40, and her three children became part of Season for Caring, she said, "it was very difficult. ... All I was thinking of was the rent."

The family, who came to Afghanistan after Afshar's husband was killed because he worked with the United States, has now been able to put some money into savings and buy things for the children, which wasn't possible before. She still has some gift cards left from Season for Caring, and when she uses one, "I pray for you," she said of all the donors.

The children ages 13, 12 and 4 are doing well, she said. "They are very happy now, and I am very grateful."

Community outreach: Statesman launching 25th Season for Caring charity this fall. Here's how you can help.

Michelle Jimenez, Hospice Austin

The Jimenez family from Round Rock lost brother Joey, 28, to brain cancer on Good Friday, but not before having a memorable Christmas together.

"The outpour of love for Joey ... Joey's face would just light up when he would receive a gift," his mother, Michelle Jimenez, said.

Season for Caring "was phenomenal, amazing, a huge blessing. I'm just full of gratitude," she said.

Michelle Jimenez, 58, spent three years taking care of Joey before he died. Losing him "was one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life. ... I prayed and hoped things would turn out so differently."

She will eventually return to work. For now, she volunteers in her church's kindergarten program. Her youngest son, Jon Paul, 18, a senior in high school, plays defensive tackle. The Lions Club helped him to get an eye problem diagnosed and to procure new glasses.

"I want to give back," Michelle Jimenez said. "All the care and the love was a huge financial lift for us. We were just so blessed, so blessed."

Roland Kemokai, Health Alliance for Austin Musicians

For Roland Kemokai, 43, and his wife Christine, 39, Season for Caring meant having a second car, something they needed as two gig workers. He is a musician, and she is a balloon and face paint artist for birthday parties.

"We don't have to lose picking up a gig," Roland Kemokai said. "We're extremely grateful."

They also were able to save money for a down payment on a manufactured home they hope to get in the next year.

Their sons are doing well. The oldest, Clement, 18, graduated from high school and is attending college online. Ben, 16, still in high school, is doing video production and editing.

"It is a tremendous good that has happened for our family," Roland Kemokai said.

Anatole Lee, Family Eldercare

Anatole Lee, 59, who had a brain injury after a car hit him while he was riding a bike, is "making it," he said. He is working on getting his security guard license, so he can return to work.

Season for Caring donors helped pay his rent and bought many items on his wish list, including the spaghetti pot he was using to fix dinner recently.

"I am thankful for what they did," he said. Season for Caring and Family Eldercare have "been good to me."

Jae Lee, Foundation Communities

Jae Lee, 33, an Army veteran, is about to graduate from college, a first step to becoming a social worker. He will start graduate school next spring.

Season for Caring has helped strengthen the relationship with his daughter, Tiare, 14, because the funding allowed Lee to work fewer hours.

"I'm not always having to do something to make money," Lee said. "I'm happy to go to her functions because there's not something getting in the way. That doesn't happen without the generosity of others."

The Lees love all the things Season for Caring provided, including a new bed, sheets and television. They like to curl up together and watch TV. "Things like this make you happy," Lee said.

Season for Caring has been "very humbling," Lee said. "I definitely want to donate to this program. I love it."

Araceli Ramirez, Breast Cancer Resource Center

Araceli Ramirez, 50, is trying a new chemotherapy for her stage IV breast cancer, with the cancer spreading a little more.

"We're trying to see if the medicine works," she said. "With the chemo, my body hurts. It's hard."

Because of her cancer and the side effects, she hasn't been able to work. Her son, Jesus, 24, had to postpone college again because his financial aid fell through, but he is working full-time to help his mother.

Season for Caring "gave me rest," she said. "It was less stress, not having to stress about the rent. I am very grateful about it."

Leslie Romero, Any Baby Can

"Nothing like that has ever happened to us," Leslie Romero, 34, said of Season for Caring. "My family was happy and excited there was this opportunity."

She and her five children were able to move into a new home with more space, especially for Amari, 3, who has some developmental delays and was not walking.

About five months ago, he took his first steps. "He still falls, but he's walking," she said.

The assistance with rent from Season for Caring allowed her to save some money for future housing expenses.

"It did help me a lot," she said. "I was struggling."

Sandra Stephenson, Interfaith Action of Central Texas

Sandra Stephenson, 67, spent the end of October riding a train from Los Angeles to Seattle; one of her dreams was to take a train trip. Season for Caring provided the opportunity for Stephenson and her daughter to go.

The past year has been difficult for Stephenson. She was in and out of the hospital in the spring, and she now has dialysis three times a week in a treatment center instead of daily at home.

"I'm doing good. I'm not a quitter," Stephenson said of her health struggles.

Her vision is holding steady, and possibly improving, after Season for Caring connected her with a retina specialist to stop the progression of blindness she was experiencing. Home repairs are ongoing, and she has already received new floors, a new shed, cabinets and outdoor painting.

Naquisha Taylor, Caritas of Austin

After years of homelessness, Naquisha Taylor, 34, moved into a new apartment big enough for her four children.

Readers filled that apartment with furniture and cleared out her Amazon wish list. Season for Caring allowed her to be a mom to her children in a beautiful space.

"I am so blessed," Taylor said.

Coming next week

Read the stories of this year's Season for Caring families and learn how you can give.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Look back on where our 2022 Season for Caring families are today