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Kenya Mutyanda is asking people to call Senator Tom Kean and to call Assemblyman Jon Bramnick on her family's behalf.
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The Mutyanda children--Munashe, Isaiah and Imani. Because their mom is currently unemployed, the family has been unable to find a landlord willing to rent to them.
Mutyanda Family of Westfield, Homeless After Fire, Asks Community to Contact Politicians
Thursday, March 14, 2013 • 10:20am
WESTFIELD, NJ — Though grateful that so many in the community have reached out to her family with clothes, gift cards, furniture and in some cases money after they lost their home on March 1, Kenya Mutyanda is fearful that she and her children will have no place to go on Saturday, March 16*, when they must vacate the hotel where they were invited to stay for a few days after our original story about the family was published on March 10.
“Knowing all of the humanitarian efforts for my family is so heartwarming that I can’t find adequate words to express my appreciation,” Mutyanda told TAP.
Because they were renting, the family’s biggest obstacle now is finding someone willing to rent to a woman on unemployment. Mutyanda, who has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Kean University, was laid off from her job as Unit Director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Union County in July.
“It looks like I am fast approaching the end of my exhaustive search and inquiries without any positive results,” Mutyanda told TAP. She is asking people to call Senator Tom Kean’s office in Westfield at 908-232-3673 and to call Assemblyman Jon Bramnick's Westfield office at 908-232-2073 or to email asmbramnick@njleg.org or fax 908-232-2741, in hopes that they can help her family get a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher or state rental assistance.
“Prayerfully, if many get involved it may open doors I could not do alone. Thank you,” she added.
After an overwhelming response from our readers beginning the morning after our original story was published, family friend Alena Minatee set up this email address where you can contact her about helping the Mutyanda family: Alena4Mutyandas@hotmail.com.
Allstate Agent Ron Bansky has offered his office at 519 South Avenue in Westfield as a drop spot for Westfield-area residents to bring smaller items such as clothing, toys and gift cards. Click here to see his website and hours of operation.
Mutyanda’s youngest child, Isaiah, will turn two next week.
For additional up-to-the-minute information about this story and to share ideas about how to help the Mutyanda family, "like" The Alternative Press of Westfield on Facebook.
*Editor's note: As of March 14, thanks to another generous individual, the Mutyanda family will have a safe place to stay until Friday, March 22.
