Local family hit by recession featured in HBO documentary
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HILLSBORO, Ore. – It takes courage to show the world just how vulnerable you are, but one family, who had a documentary made about them, believes something good can come from it.
The Rieck family now lives in a small apartment, which is a far cry from the 3,000 square foot home they used to have.
They're victims of the Great Recession and the housing crisis.
The new documentary, "American Winter," was on HBO Monday night and it will see many more airings over the coming weeks.
The filmmakers turned to Portland to search for families hit hard by the housing crisis and the Rieck family was just one of many pushed to the brink.
"We had steak tonight, which is a huge treat. It's a big deal," says Paula Rieck.
Success for her is measured in what she can feed her kids.
"A night when we don't have ground beef, it's a good deal," she says.
It's a small step for her and husband, Ben, but it's important to help overcome what knocked them down.
"How do you look at your small children and realize I can't protect you from what's coming," Ben says.
What came is chronicled in the documentary.
"I was working for Volkswagen Credit – company cars, new car every year, made every bonus," Ben says in the documentary.
When the Riecks fell victim to the Great Recession, their kids soon learned some hard life truths.
"We came home and saw the foreclosure sign on the front door. That was really scary," son Devin says in the documentary.
But scarier than that was the need for food and not being able to buy it.
"I started crying when I was in the food bank, because it was humiliating for me to have to go in there," says Paula during an interview with KATU News.
For Paula and Ben, they take some comfort in how they've all stuck together.
"We're still a family, that's the important thing," Paula says. "I think that's probably what's kept us going. We have faith and we have each other and we make it through one day at a time."
The Riecks say they participated in the documentary because they wanted other families to know they're not alone.
Seven other Portland families also appear in "American Winter." You can catch it currently on HBO.
I can't thank you all enough ':) I thank you so much for your good wishes...please, I'll turn down your offers of help. You'll never know how much I appreciate it (and you all know who you are :)...but I just want to do this by myself. I'm getting a ride to my local Goodwill tomorrow and I'm going to see if I can find a pair of shoes. I should be ashamed for even admitting that...but it's just so hard for me to think that something like a second pair of shoes used to be no big deal to me! Even people with a comfortable life have no idea how quickly they can reach the bottom. That being said...I'm relatively healthy, optimistic most of the time, and hopeful that tomorrow will be a better day and get me closer to living a "normal" life. I miss my house everyday...the neighbors I used to have..some of my special keepsakes and items that I had to leave behind...it's one thing to downsize when you choose to...quite another story when you have no choice. Then I think about how much worse off people had it in the past, and still have it today. So..your offers of help mean more then what you could have provided to me. I'm so grateful, and thank you so much :)Â
@fracas I found your humbleness and humility to be absolutely refreshing and very touching.  My wife wanted me to mention she knows there are charitable organizations out there that help with clothing for the purpose of gaining employment.  I don't know the specifics.  I thank you for sharing your story and absolutely wish you the best out there.  Keep your head up.
@Fake Pilot @fracas Thank you so much...I'm just "me". I sometimes wear my heart on my sleeve...not a good idea sometimes...but it's the way I was raised. Tell your wife "thank-you" for the info...I'm going to ask about it at the Goodwill...they might know. You have a wonderful day...spring will soon be here for real!  And enjoy every minute :)
@fracas You too.
@fracas Best of luck to you.  You write well and have a true understanding of what it's like to be down on your luck (been there, done that, don't want the t-shirt).  I hope that you'll occasionally come to the defense of some of the downtrodden when stories like this pop up -- there's a ton of heartless meanies out there who don't realize that for most of us, we're about 3 paychecks away from serious financial trouble.  If I lived closer, I'd drive you to the Goodwill.  Again, best of luck to you and keep up the good attitude.....things can only get better, right?Â
So go ahead and accuse me and my family of bs wrong doing if that helps you sleep at night but the only judgement of me that matters doesnt come fom you or any other missinformed individual. this was not intended to offend anyone just to inform those interested in the truth. sorry for the multiple posts but it was the only way to elaborate and not leave out any of the truth.
Sounds like a great example of why you don't mix business with family/friends. My renters know they can call me day or night if they need something. They also know that if I don't have the rent on time they will be looking for another place to live.
Now there are holes in the walls paint on the carpet horrible red stains on the carpet through out the house even where the daycare children were never at(upstairs). So anyways my grandparents moved back in and started repairs. after taking into account the initial deposit that was made the Riecks still infact are or could be held accountable for close to 1000 dollars in damages. the Riecks tried to threaten my grandparents with a law suit but when my family informed them of all the evidence that they had in relation to the damages done they never went through with the suit. so now they have a new vehicle and are on tv complaining about all these things that if they were looked into people would see that they are in fact the effects of a history of poor choices and yes some medical bills.
Moving on... The Riecks were granted the extension because they said that they had family coming to visit and look into helping them purchase the house. so that never happened. They ended up getting told no by their family and decide to move out. Upon them moving out the damages that were caused by them were discovered. over 2000 dollars worth. This home had only been lived in by my family, they had it built over 30 years ago, it was in pristine condition. my grandmother is extermely insistent on the care of her things. if you work hard for something for years and years you should take care of it. the property is on just under 14,000 sq ft of land very large backyard in case your like me and cant visualize that. which you cant find these days in newer property at least. they destroyed the backyard . It is just mud and very ugly grass now and it used to be manicured and perfect. the inside had been through 8 children in 3 different generations( all boys except me and my daughter) and you couldnt even tell that a child had ever been there.
At the end of the lease term they asked my family for an extension and even though my grandparents were not very comfortable in the rental they them selves were in the extension was granted. the changes that were made were that the Riecks would have to start paying thier own utilities and this change was due to the fact that my grandparents are on fixed incomes and were losing hundreds of dollars every month and it was caused by their generosity to the Riecks. They didnt go around blaming them they just realized that they couldnt continue to help them to that extent and made the change. I mean come on I dont know of ANY landlord that pays the utilities in a rental HOUSE. Do you? probably not.How about a landlord that allows you to make partial payments every month for rent, one on the 15th and one on the 30th?
Anyways, so they signed an agreement that stated that after a one year lease/ rental (which was to allow the Riecks to get their bills caught up and credit repaired) They would be offered a chance to purches the house if they so chose.This is called a rent with the option to purchase, not a rent to own. there is a very big difference in thelease agreements. look it up. If the chose not to they would need to find a new place because my grandparents never intended on being landlords, this was a one time offer and it was out of the kindness of their hearts because thats how they are. Now this agreement also stated that my Grandparents would not just keep the bills in their names to help the Riecks pay off back bills but my grandparents PAID ALL of them too, (water,sewer, garbage, natural gas and electric).
So I was asked to elaborate and here it is... The Riecks lived in a small 3 bedroom home and Paula ran a daycare, a small one. Ben worked for farmers insurance andthey had one vehicle, a minivan.I needed child care and she had space for more children. Shortly after my daughter and my nephew began being cared for by Paula, she informeed me that Ben had not been making the mortgage payments and that they were being forclosed on. they were in a hard spot. So because my family really cared for them and didnt want to lose the child care my grandparent offered to rent their 3600 sq ft house to them. This was to prevent the Riecks from losing their business and to allow my daughter and nephew to continue going to Paula. now keep in mind that in my family we all help eachother when needed thats how family is supposed to be, so if i wanted free child care i would not have needed to ask Paula.
"Great Recession" "Housing Crisis" "American Winter" .... Â We're victims of "Unrestrained Reality TV"
It isn't about feeling sorry for anyone... It's about bing a human being, in all respects of the word. None among us should feel that they have a right to toss, anything even remotely resembeling, negativity at those who are having a tough time. I am asshamed of those of you who do, and you should be too.
in these hard times we need to look after people around us if we can=i have been there and done that =i have had to go with out food so my kids can eat so i am asking all whom are well to do to help others around you even if you dont like them its the humain thing to do
I think it is very natural for a parent to want to give their children/family more, and there is not a thing wrong with doing exactly that. People work hard, be it for small or large dollars, and we all spend what we earn providing for the ones we love the most. Who are any of us to put down anyone who did exactly what we ourselves have and will continue to do with our money? It is good to see that they aren't in such ruin that their children are homeless and hungry though.
Hard to feel sorry for a couple that was living a very privileged life. There were times 10 years ago, when I as a young adult was feeling the tight pinch of not being paid by my employer, and trying to figure out how I'd take care of rent and feeding myself. It may not be a very exciting lifestyle, but there's something to be said for those who live by spending conservatively, and saving wisely.
@pdxd I've TiVo'd the show but haven't watched it because my daughter told me it would make me cry.  BUT she said it wasn't this couple that was touching...she talked about a family whose kids went to Mt. Tabor where my daughter went when we were a little down financially.  Once the program left this couple and moved on to others, apparently it was very moving, thought-provoking and a definite eye-opener.
@Sundowner @pdxd Especially John and Geral and Jeannette and Gunner.  I feel for the other families, too, but their stories are particularly heartwrenching.  It is absolutely worth watching.
@CTWUÂ I'm sure it is, but when I said it would make me cry, I'm not talking about a few little teardrops.....I start bawling, sobbing -- it's not pretty. Â I'm a mush head.
Certainly HBO paid them for this.
@Sarbar Someone posted below that they weren't compensated.
I think a better story would of been about the grandma arming herself with hot water to fight her eviction
They probably had some idiotic home loan and missed a payment and their interest rate went through the roof. Yes, there was predatory loaning, but maybe a 3000 sq ft home was out of their reach to begin with.Â
I love how right off the bat, this article calls this couple "victims."
And people wonder why Romney made those 47% remarks....
I hope her kids grow to learn that money isn't everything. Â It really doesn't sound like this family has it that bad; I think they are just used to living the sweet life.Â
So, because they might eat hamburger, she feels bad. Â There is no doubt that her kids are spoiled rotten. Â I don't have HBO, but will the whole story be told? Â Did they go stupid and buy more house than they can afford? Â Did their kids get every toy they wanted? Â In other words, were they living beyond their means, even before the recession? Â I doubt if these questions will be answered because HBO wants you to watch their special and feel sorry for these people. Â I don't. Â I know people who have actually had some rough times and there was no TV special made about them. Â In fact they wouldn't want HBO or any television company anywhere near them.
@Shadow And the family who has to drink rainwater because their plumbing has been shut off and rely on the sympathy of a neighbor to string electric cords from his house to theirs so they can have some lights and heat in the winter?  I doubt they were living above their means.  I think it was paycheck to paycheck.  Thank goodness they have an understanding neighbor that is willing and able to help out.
@Shadow  I don't have HBO either. In fact, no more cable TV. A waste of money and I have many more worthwhile things to do with my time. A simple $60 antenna gets us about 20 channels, which is about 15 more than we need. And Roku for about $80 gets you all sorts of free movies to watch with no onery monthly fees.
@wondering @Shadow what do you use for inter net ????
@Fake Pilot @Sherry L Campbell That's funny....with the gold Starbucks card, you get a free year of wi-fi after you've purchased 15 drinks in a year.  I now have about 25 years of free wi-fi at Starbucks.  First, I don't know what wi-fi is; second, I probably won't live long enough to use it.  Want my freebie Starbucks wi-fi?  LOL!Â
@Sundowner @Sherry L Campbell @wondering @Shadow Not to mention free Wi-Fi, whatever that means.
@Sherry L Campbell @wondering @Shadow Internet is available to anyone with a cell phone, or at least a "smart" phone.
Oh what a poor sob story. Poor, poor "victims". This is exactly why everyone should have to spend some time in poverty and learn how to make life better for themselves. I got to live in poverty while in college even though I was working and raising a young child on my own. Uncomfortable? Absolutely. But it certainly was worth it. Eating hamburger is not the end of the world. And certainly, the kids not getting what they "want" is not going to harm them. Perhaps that was part of their problem - always getting what they wanted, right now, rather than plan for the future and be prepared for adversity.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=-0bOH8ABpco
Just a bit of humor.... I barely have a pot to pee in! Try that on for size....
How about getting notice 4 days before Christmas by a knock on your door at dinnertime telling you your home is being auctioned off? How about having to get Food Stamps for the first time in your life, or going to the Food Bank and feeling miserable because you're surrounded by folks with little kids and you feel that you being there will be less for them to have? How about having to walk away from your home of 36 years without being able to get the things that made it a home for all those years because you'd be trespassing? How about having to mend the clothes you were able to get because if they fall apart you can't afford to buy something new? How about having one pair of shoes, and hope that as you look for work, no one will look at your feet. How about living on a small SS check you took early because it was the only income you now have? How about being me? I don't need to watch a documentary about something happening to thousands of people...most worse off then this couple.
@fracas Thank you for sharing your story.  I watched the film and "you" weren't one they portrayed but you easily could have been.  It seems you were powerful enough to at least change some of the opinions out there.  Life is always full of challenges.  It's how we approach those challenges that shape the character we are.  Here's wishing you will be rewarded for conquering your challenges and may your dreams come true.
@fracas Yours is truly a different story than the one portrayed here. I hate seeing those that are literally counting pennies to make ends meet, wondering what to buy that is a necessity that would fit into the budget at a certain moment, without knowing what the future holds.Â
I get upset at the people who feel that they are entitled to having a life of luxury that they dived into, and then had it pulled back from them, only to whine and complain that it didn't last. Those that have tried to build their retirement funds and have them depleted because of "the Great Recession" have my sympathy more than these people. Those are the ones that are getting hit the most out of all the issues going on right now. My mother is one of these people, and I'm helping her as much as I can.Â
It's a vicious thing, but we need to get back to basics, and get off the sense of entitlements and back to the cents of reality.Â
Good luck to you...!
@fracas I found that once the stigma of the trail card wore off and I would use it at my local store I thought it was great. Never bought a lot of name brand foods before but now I did. It works in a lot of store deli food and do not forget Papa Murphies. I miss my free food. That Christmas I did cook a 10 pound prime rib up from the 3 pounders when I paid cash.
@fracas It sounds like you've had a rough time of it, and I'm truly sorry for what you've gone through.  It's amazing in life what we each have to endure individually to gain the empathy that's needed to feel another's pain.  It literally sickens me sometimes when I read comments debasing people who are poor, homeless, hungry, unable to seek medical attention on this very website.  I'm hopeful that you've hit the lowest point and are headed to a better place...it sounds like you're not prideful and that you're using your head.  I'm sure this is little comfort, but I'm pulling for you.  Good luck.
@Sundowner @fracas @ tally too....I really hesitated about posting on here...but oh well. I thank you both for your kind words :) Still haven't gotten over using my SNAP card, so I shop later in the evening...I was never a spender, but we had a decent life and bills got paid. Just not used to not being able to pay anything. I'm maintaining now, but still hold off buying shoes because I'm afraid now that something will come up that I would need the money for and won't have it. It certainly has changed my thinking on so many levels. It just seems like when something bad happens...it comes in spades, and it's so hard to get back up to where you can at least enjoy life a little more. Anyway...I appreciate your words...thank you :)
@Sundowner @Fake Pilot @fracas Count on it.
@Fake Pilot @fracas If you get the information, could you share it with me?  I would like to help also. Â
@fracas @Sundowner Do you have a paypal account?  I would like to offer a little help to you.  I know you didn't ask for it, but your story really moved me and I would like to help.
@fracas @Sundowner my prayers go out for you=i am a person whom cares about people around about me so i will be praying
Not sure I'll be watching this documentary because I don't feel like paying HBO to watch movies I've seen over a year ago on Amazon, Vudu, or Redbox.Â
That said, I think a lot of unemployed people will be coming to terms with the fact their skill sets are no longer applicable or marketable. Private sector jobs are not created just to employ a body, they are created to fill a business need. If a person no longer has the skills to fill current business needs (not ones from 4 years ago) there is not much we can do for them and their long winter will continue indefinitely.Â
I hear from people who has sent out "hundreds" of resumes without getting any bites. I hate to tell them that perhaps the problem lies with the product they are attempting to sell.Â
Sad, but a fact of life. Those that can adapt will survive. Those that can't will wither and die.
@Rack-o-ribs maybe some of these people should go back to school and get an education in whichever department they're trying to find a job in, even if they already have a degree, they may need to take some refresher courses. Thus, giving them the "in" they're looking for with keeping up with the times and technology changes.
There are how many "well educated" people without work or working outside thier degreed areas in this country? Or working for minimum wage? Education is not a cure all for ensuring employment. There have been way to many people in this country who have taken that bait. A college degree is no assurance of success, or a higer paying job anymore. On average you will earn more and have more responsibility. For less pay than in the past. Too many idiots coming out of college. Your point of getting educated or trained in an emerging or currently desired market is ok; if that is sustainable.
@wvboy I hear you.  I got my degree in 1992 and have never actually worked in a situation where the degree was important, used, or significant.  In fact I was told I was overqualified even for the jobs I have had (which is true).
I also think schools have a responsibility to limit the number of degrees offered. Â Right now, criminal justice seems to be a real hot one with lots of people at least starting out in the field. Â I highly doubt many will be able to find a job afterwards. Â I'm betting on 10% being able to gainfully obtain a position where their degree will be used.
And one of the women in the film did go to one of the "associate" schools (it wasn't named) to get a degree in phlebotomy training. Â I'm sure the "degree" or certificate that she got cost a pretty penny. Â At best, as she said in the show, she'd be offered minimum wage which, again, wouldn't even cover living expenses let alone paying off the student loan she is now saddled with.
@nic0le88 @Rack-o-ribs Earlier the news was about people with too much education in Portland
@Rack-o-ribs @tally @nic0le88 He couldn't find a teaching job and have the summer off
@tally @nic0le88 @Rack-o-ribs I think that is partially correct.  I remember it as people with too much education who make a choice to work less then full time.Â