Cayman family residing in Miami needs our help
Dana Connolly, a Cayman-American army veteran living in Miami, needs our help.
In a story, originally published in the Miami Herald on December 13 2019, as part of Herald Charities Inc.’s Wish Book, the Cayman-American family made a wish to keep their home after Dana’s stage four cancer diagnosis. Dana (61), his wife Andrea (39) and young child (4) are needing the Cayman community to rally behind them and give support.
In 2018, the Connolly’s were forced to move to the United States from The Cayman Islands to receive the proper medical care needed after receiving the devastating news. Dana was diagnosed with stage four carcinoma of the throat, nose and tonsils; while he also suffers with many other accompanying illnesses such as chronic kidney disease, a spine deformity and a fractured knee.
Dana’s biggest concern is the security of his family once he’s gone. He was born in The Cayman Islands but has permanent residency in The United States. His wife and son do not have their residency.
The family was finally able to secure an apartment after a year of struggling financially due to medical expenses and were staying at an extended stay hotel with the help of Operation Sacred Trust, who stepped in to keep them from homelessness. But this was a short-term solution, as the housing stipend runs out this month, which puts them at risk of being homeless once more.
Currently the family is surviving on $541 a month in Social Security benefits. Since Andrea and Daniel do not have their residency in America, they are not eligible for any government assistance such as food stamps and housing.
Dana’s biggest worry is his wife and small child will be left without a roof over their heads. He is praying for a miracle for his family. The trust covers about $1700 for rent and utilities but it is running out. The Connolly’s need a miracle
Dana has worked all his life. He followed in his father’s footsteps by enlisting in the army. He has worked in communications, security work, and even owned his own construction business. Life was once good. Dana is now unable to obtain or secure work with his declining health. His wife Andrea is waiting for the lengthy immigration process to gain residency and finally be able to work.
The Connolly’s need the support of our community to make their wish come true and help them to keep their home.
In 2018, the Connolly’s were forced to move to the United States from The Cayman Islands to receive the proper medical care needed after receiving the devastating news. Dana was diagnosed with stage four carcinoma of the throat, nose and tonsils; while he also suffers with many other accompanying illnesses such as chronic kidney disease, a spine deformity and a fractured knee.
Dana’s biggest concern is the security of his family once he’s gone. He was born in The Cayman Islands but has permanent residency in The United States. His wife and son do not have their residency.
The family was finally able to secure an apartment after a year of struggling financially due to medical expenses and were staying at an extended stay hotel with the help of Operation Sacred Trust, who stepped in to keep them from homelessness. But this was a short-term solution, as the housing stipend runs out this month, which puts them at risk of being homeless once more.
Currently the family is surviving on $541 a month in Social Security benefits. Since Andrea and Daniel do not have their residency in America, they are not eligible for any government assistance such as food stamps and housing.
Dana’s biggest worry is his wife and small child will be left without a roof over their heads. He is praying for a miracle for his family. The trust covers about $1700 for rent and utilities but it is running out. The Connolly’s need a miracle
Dana has worked all his life. He followed in his father’s footsteps by enlisting in the army. He has worked in communications, security work, and even owned his own construction business. Life was once good. Dana is now unable to obtain or secure work with his declining health. His wife Andrea is waiting for the lengthy immigration process to gain residency and finally be able to work.
The Connolly’s need the support of our community to make their wish come true and help them to keep their home.
