Goodman Family of five from left to right: Greg, Ezra, Meadow (z”l), Eden, and Lulu. Courtesy: Greg Goodman  

By Debbie Cohen 

 (CONTENT ADVISORY – Mentions of suicide.) 

In an extraordinary act of community support, Shalom Austin has provided a generous grant to fund a new type of interest-free loan offered by the Hebrew Free Loan of Austin (HFLA). This loan program, aimed at assisting individuals with mental health, inclusion, and disability needs, offers up to $10,000 in interest-free loans to cover costs of counseling, therapy sessions, medical expenses, educational support, essential mobility equipment and much more.  

This initiative will assist many families facing similar challenges as Greg Goodman and his family experienced last year. Last fall, Goodman’s daughter, Meadow, tragically died by suicide after battling a depressive disorder for over a year. Meadow’s diagnosis and subsequent treatments left the Goodman family with overwhelming medical bills and debt.  

“Since her diagnosis and through the present day, my family has been dealing with major medical-related bills, and I have been saddled with a great deal of debt, which I’ve reached the limits of,” shared Goodman. The medical bills covering Meadow’s hospitalizations and treatment programs were exorbitant along with the high cost of ongoing therapy and mental health support to help Goodman’s family deal with their loss.  

The emotional toll on the Goodman family was immense, making everyday decisions incredibly challenging. HFLA’s new loan program aims to alleviate some of the financial stress faced by families like the Goodmans. Goodman emphasized the importance of reaching out for help, despite the pride many individuals feel. “I’m a proud individual; my family is proud. I have been advocating for mental health awareness and to dispel the stigma behind suicide. I want to be able to make sure that no one is too proud to be able to reach out for help. There are plenty of people within and outside our community that need help. HFLA was there for my family, and I want to emphasize that,” Goodman said.  

The new HFLA loan program providing mental health, disability, and inclusion help provides up to $10,000 in interest-free financial assistance, supported by Shalom Austin’s strategic initiatives, is now available to the community. It underscores the importance of providing financial assistance to those in need, ensuring equitable access to mental health care, education, and essential resources for individuals with disabilities. Through this initiative, HFLA and Shalom Austin are making a significant impact on the lives of individuals and families, fostering a supportive and inclusive community.