A father's story: It could happen to you

What happened to this 42-year-old single father of two girls could be anybody's story.

He's been raising his 12- and 13-year-old daughters alone for nine years.

They relocated to Carson Valley from Bishop, Calif., some months ago. They live in a Gardnerville Ranchos duplex that rents for $875. With utility bills, food costs and the daily necessities in raising two young daughters, their monthly bills are close to $1,200.

The father, who requested anonymity, went to work in a local restaurant and the girls enrolled in school.

In December, Dad suffered a heart attack and was hospitalized.

In addition to the physical strain, the heart attack placed an emotional burden on the two children who wondered what would become of them.

"They were worried. What if something happened to me? Where would they go?" he recalled.

With the assistance he received from relatives, friends, his daughters' teachers, and the staff at social services, the family's fears were relieved somewhat.

"A lot of people helped us out," he said. "Even being new to the area and not really knowing us, they stepped in and gave us a hand."

On the verge of losing his apartment, his landlord suggested they contact Douglas County Social Services.

It was a decision that kept the little family in tact.

"Social Services put me in a program that helps pay to rent," he said. "They fixed me up with an emergency fund and called the rental agency to explain what was going on. They saved us from being homeless. Things fell into place and everything worked out."

He was recuperated at home for nearly three months and lost his original job. But he found work in another restaurant with hours more suited to his daughters' schedules.

"This could happen to anybody," he said. "If you're honest and straight-forward and people know you're trying, they will go the extra mile."

He described himself as a person who could never imagine himself on welfare, but he says it saved his life.

"Everyone always says never be too proud," he said. "It's good to know these programs are here."

He has advice for families that might find themselves in similar straits

"If you are willing to put the effort in, they can see it and will go to bat for you," he said. "They told me to call pretty much anytime. It's like you're part of a little team, not just one person on your own."