Tuesday, October 23, 2012

A Place To Live

This month has been an extremely hard month for a single mom who has always been able to provide for herself and her two children. 
 
She has worked at her employment for many years and has worked up on the pay scale.
 
The mom came to our office very emotional and feeling embarrassed at the same time having to ask for help. She stated that she has been so depressed because of having to move out of her rental due to it being sold, vehicle repairs, medical issues and missing work because of sickness and not knowing where they were going to live. 
 
We visited about the cost of high deposits on other rentals and utilities. I was able to make contact with a landlord for her in low-income housing, and there happened to be a family unit open where she will be able to move in next week. The landlord is willing to work with her on the deposit. The mom is so excited and thankful knowing she will be saving money, and her new place has just been remodeled. 
 
Today I saw a new person when she came in to the office thanking Community Action for helping her find housing and believing in her.

 ~~~by Jana Chase ~ Community Services Coordinator
Superior/Nuckolls, Webster, and Clay, Counties

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Assistance For Jim



Over the last couple of months Hastings and Minden have seen an influx of seniors coming in to sign up for the Commodity Supplemental Food program and for weatherization. The economy has hit the older generation; at times it seems they are the ones suffering the most.

“Jim” came into the Minden office seeking deposit assistance. He is living on a fixed social security income and was needing $460 deposit and a prorated 1st month’s rent of $175 that would have taken most of his social security. Community Action was able to assist with the deposit, provide a food pantry, voucher for The Closet to help set up his new apartment, and signed him up for CSFP. Jim was thankful for all of the assistance that Community Action was able to provide.

 - Katie Shaw
Community Services Coordinator
Hastings/Adams, Minden/Kearney Counties