Stewards Inc’s payee program exists to provide support for adults with mental disabilities, who are among the most vulnerable individuals in Kern County. The majority of them suffer from at least one mental disability, and many have cooccurring disorders.

 

These individuals have been deemed incapable of managing their finances by Social Security and they come to us as a last resort because they do not have a family member or trusted friend to help them with financial management. Like all other nonprofits, the services that Stewards Inc offers do not lend themselves to profit, because it is not a typical market with a consumer who can afford to pay for the services. 

 

 

OUR IMPACT

Currently, we have roughly 1,000 clients. Through the management of their finances we are quite effective in steering them away from very dangerous and severe outcomes, such as slipping into homelessness or blowing all of their money at the beginning of the month. The whole community benefits from this because the roughly $1.2 million in disability benefits we manage per month is used on rent, food, payment of their utilities, and other basic necessities.

 

 

OUR NEED

 We are allowed a small subsidy by Social Security in the form of a service fee, but these fees do not, unfortunately, come anywhere near meeting our operating expenses. For this reason, we need individuals like you to help us to continue the work of serving the most vulnerable population in Kern County. Without your crucial support, Stewards Inc. could not fulfill its mission. Find out how to donate by clicking here. 

 

Far from begrudging this reality, we see it as an opportunity to invite conscientious individuals in our community to participate in our important work and to develop the relationships and collaborations with potential partners, friends, and supporters we need to create a lasting impact in our neighborhoods.

 

 

Andrae Gonzales

Chief Executive Officer