Patricia never imagined she would be starting over.
She and her husband, Paul—her best friend of more than 25 years—had built a life rooted in love and simple joys. They shared home-cooked meals around the kitchen table, leisurely strolls in their neighborhood, and long conversations about the traveling they would finally do once Paul officially retired from his career in Project Management.
Patricia loved being home. Much of her time was spent shuttling their two active teenagers to school, practices, and everywhere in between. Still, she was quietly looking ahead to the next chapter—when the kids could drive themselves and she could return more fully to her art. Her work had recently begun gaining recognition at a couple of small galleries, and for the first time in years, she felt space opening up for her own dreams again.
Then, in the blink of an eye, everything changed.
Paul’s sudden passing from a heart attack shattered the life Patricia knew. Alongside overwhelming grief came a crushing reality she never expected to face alone. Like many families, they had always meant to get around to finalizing their wills. Now, with most accounts not in her name, Patricia found herself unprepared for the financial burden and complexity of probate court.
At a time when she felt she should be grieving, Patricia instead felt consumed by fear—fear of losing her footing, fear of making a wrong decision, fear of navigating a financial world that had always been handled by Paul. She confided in a friend that she didn’t know where to turn.
That’s when she learned about Bluffton Self Help.
From her very first visit, Patricia felt something she hadn’t felt in months: relief. She sat with a caring Client Advocate who listened patiently and compassionately as she shared her story.
Her Client Advocate introduced her to The Market, where Patricia could save more than $500 on groceries. That single resource lifted a huge burden from her shoulders. She also learned about the Financial Literacy Workshops—an opportunity to understand and take on the financial responsibilities Paul had always managed for their family.
Admitting she felt intimidated wasn’t easy. But her Client Advocate reassured her: she was not alone.
Patricia’s story is one of many made possible by the generosity of our community. This year (as of November 30):
1,981 households received support through Bluffton Self Help programs, with 60% layering multiple services to build a stronger foundation for their future.
633,776 pounds of food—including fresh produce, dairy, meat, and pantry staples—were shared with neighbors.
Over 3,000 meaningful connections with our Case Management Team helped neighbors overcome barriers and find their footing.
When a life changes in the blink of an eye, as it did for Patricia and her children, no one should have to face the next chapter alone.
