Keeshia Foster is smiling, really smiling for the first time since her East St. Louis, Illinois home suffered extensive damage from recent flash flooding.

She recalled how her home had four feet of water and how she had to be evacuated by boat along with her parents, three children, and a niece and nephew.

“I cried every day, but thank God we’re all alive,” she said. “We lost everything because we weren’t able to grab anything because the water rose that fast.”

She heard about the Multi-Agency Resource Center, or MARC, at the East St. Louis High School and decided to go check it out.

Soon after arriving, Keeshia was talking to Red Cross caseworker Sue Krueger. She showed her the documentation from the Red Cross damage assessment team that rated her home as having major damage.

Sue talked to Keeshia to get additional information about her situation and to let her know the Red Cross would be able to assist her. For the first time in a long time, Keeshia allowed herself to feel hopeful.

“I feel a little relief, a little less stress in my chest,” Keeshia said as she waited for word that her assistance had been approved. As she waited, Keeshia worried that something could go wrong, and she could end up with nothing.

Finally, the approval arrived by text and Sue got on the phone to one of her colleagues to tie up a few loose ends.

Sue then gave the Keeshia an envelope with the assistance and the two embraced in a lingering hug.

“I can tell the kids that we’re getting some help and I can stop worrying now,” Keeshia said with a broad smile across her face.

As she watched Keeshia walk away, Sue said, “I’m so happy to be able to help and make them happy. It makes my heart so happy.”