Help Stories

Cynthia is not working right now. She and her mother live together with Cynthia’s two children. The total household income is only $45 more than the family’s rent, so they are struggling just to get by. They have received a disconnect notice for their power. Payment of at least $156 is needed to prevent shut…

Charlotte is on a fixed income and was already struggling financially when she recently suffered a stroke. She had moved into her apartment a few months ago. When she started utility service at her new address, she was informed she owed for a rather large bill from a former address. In order to establish new…

A barefoot woman knocked on our office door in Georgetown. She just wanted a pair of shoes. That was all. Her feet were swollen and blistered. She explained that her shoes had been stolen. We asked her for her name and where she was from. She said she was from Africa and her name was…

Taylor is a single mom with two small children. She relies on the child support checks she receives as her only source of income. When they do not arrive, as has been the case the past two months, Taylor has no way to pay her rent. At $75 a month with her Section 8 voucher,…

Felicity is a disabled, single mom with two teens. She supports her family with only her disability benefits. Her rent is about 70% of her income. Until she gets into some kind of subsidized housing, she struggles to get by. She was at risk of losing her power when she called us. We were able…

Sophia has been out of work for several months. Her unemployment only covers her mortgage, leaving nothing for utility payments at this time. She relies on her elderly mother’s SSI check to pay every other bill and expense in the house at this time. It is not enough. The family was at risk of disconnection…