She used credit to replace their water heater, cover a few car insurance payments, and install a new transmission in her husband’s car. For Shantel Anderson, 27, the pause was a lifeline that allowed her to support her mother and help her avoid eviction. Having lost most of her possessions during the eviction, Ms. Anderson relied on donations from people in her life, including her school guidance counselor, for dorm supplies. Ms. Anderson secured financial aid and student loans to study political science at Eastern University while maintaining a work-study job and other employment, but still graduated in 2018 with $43,000 in debt. Ms. Anderson also helped her mother with groceries, medication, gas and cat food.

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Persons: Dorn, Shantel Anderson, Anderson, Anderson’s Organizations: Eastern University Locations: Philadelphia