A Day in the Life of a Resource Navigator
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Take a closer look at how Resource Navigators like Cee help remove financial stress for people facing cancer.
The first time I called Yolanda*, I could hear the strain in her voice.
Her mother, Gloria, had been diagnosed with bile duct cancer shortly after arriving in the U.S. as a Cuban refugee. Yolanda, a licensed physician in Cuba, had become her mother’s full-time caregiver and could no longer work. Money was so tight that they were falling behind on rent and skipping meals to afford medications.
Yolanda told me, “What I really want is to not ask for help, but right now, we require it.” That’s where I come in.
I’m Cee (he/they), a Resource Navigator at Family Reach. I connect families facing cancer with resources that can ease the financial burden of treatment. When someone reaches me, they may already feel overwhelmed and unsure what to do next. My job is to help make the financial piece a little more manageable.
It Starts with Listening
Every family comes to Family Reach with a different story. Before I call, I learn what I can about what they’re facing. Then I listen.
With Gloria and Yolanda, our first conversation happened through a Spanish interpreter so Yolanda could communicate in her preferred language. I learned that housing costs had become unsustainable and there wasn’t always enough money for food. Yolanda was also providing full-time care for her mother without being paid for that work.
These conversations help me understand where financial pressure is hitting hardest. Just as importantly, they help build trust. I want every family to leave that first conversation knowing they don’t have figure everything out alone.
Turning Needs into Next Steps
Once I understand a family’s situation, I use Family Reach’s Financial Resource Center to identify programs that may help. I’m not trying to hand someone an overwhelming list. I want to give them a manageable place to start.
For Gloria and Yolanda, I focused on making housing more affordable and improving their access to food. Then I found an opportunity Yolanda didn’t know existed. Because she was caring for Gloria full-time, she could potentially be compensated for that work. I connected her with information about the program, and she eventually secured a steady source of caregiver income. That changed their financial situation in a meaningful way.
Resources exist, but finding them can be difficult when cancer is already consuming so much of a family’s time and energy. Resource Navigation helps close that gap.
When the Right Resource Makes Things Easier Today — and Tomorrow
Not every day brings a solution. Programs run out of funding. Waitlists can stretch for months. Sometimes the resources available simply cannot meet the urgency of a family’s situation. Those are the hardest moments.
But then there are families like Gloria and Yolanda. The resources we shared made a lasting difference. They found more affordable housing and reduced their rent by $600/month. They gained more consistent access to food. Yolanda’s caregiver compensation created a new source of household income. And when their circumstances changed, they came back. That isn’t a failure or a sign that our work didn’t stick. To me, it means the trust did.
Every day, I connect with people carrying the financial weight of cancer in different ways. Sometimes I can point someone toward a resource that changes their situation. Sometimes progress is smaller. Sometimes the most valuable thing I can offer is the reassurance that someone is listening and willing to help. That’s what keeps me doing this work.
A resource shared today might help someone find affordable housing months from now. One conversation might give a family a clearer idea of what to do next. The impact doesn’t always end when a case closes. Gloria and Yolanda reminded me of that.
You are not alone
If you or someone you know is facing cancer and struggling with everyday expenses, please know: you are not alone.
Family Reach’s Financial Resource Center was built for moments like this. It’s available 24/7 at no cost, with personalized support to help you navigate the financial challenges that can come with cancer. Whether you’re worried about keeping a roof over your head or getting to treatment, we’re here to help you find a path forward.
Visit the Family Reach Financial Resource Center to get started.
Because cancer is hard enough.
*Patient and caregiver names changed to respect confidentiality and privacy.
