Good Works, Inc.
HOPE AND POSSIBILITIES STORIES

INTRODUCTION Chip Guyton has been working hard to help the poor and needy in Athens County in 2008.  Here are some of their stories (their names have been changed to protect their anonymity):
	Mindy has a family of three, her infant son and her disabled husband. They have used up available assistance from the local department of Job and Family Services. She is unable to work due to complications with her diabetes. They were facing loss of their electricity due to inability to pay. Mindy was unable to meet with me because of not having enough gas in her car to make it to the Hannah House. Mindy contacted AEP to have a medical extension form faxed to her doctor in order to get a 30-day extension on her electricity. AEP allows three medical extensions per account per year. The doctor’s office filled out the necessary paperwork and Mindy received her 30-day medical extension.
	Ellen is an elderly widow that needs help paying her propane provider for a full tank. She receives $10 in food stamps and the amount of her social security check disqualifies her for survivor benefits from the Veteran’s Administration. Her health has been an increasing concern financially. She owed $1,023 to the propane company, which does not deliver propane without payment. Her only source of income is social security and it does not cover the cost of a full propane tank. Between assistance from the local Veteran’s Services Office and a few local churches, she was able to pay off the bill.
	Nancy is at the point of several things converging upon her over a short period. She was in an accident that triggered health problems including migraines and seizures. Her father had been living with her and helping with the bills, he had to move to Columbus to be closer to his doctors. Nancy is going through a divorce and her landlord has served her a notice to leave the premises for not paying the current rent. Her income amounts to $115 a month from a disability financial assistant check that is meant to help her while she files for state disability and Social Security disability. She is not currently eligible for assistance from Salvation Army and since her children do not live with her, she is ineligible for PRC from Athens County Job and Family Services.
	Betsy and Josh live off his monthly disability check. Last year Josh spent most of the year in rehab because of complications with several surgeries. They are still paying medical bills from last year while making tough choices in order to pay rent and when possible both utilities. Since they have no children and are unemployed, the only assistance from Athens County Job and Family Services they can receive is Medicaid coverage. The disability check puts them above the criterion for receiving food stamps.
	Paul came to me after experiencing a series of bad events. He was seeking assistance in paying his utilities and rent. His income was limited because of waiting for a doctor’s release indicating that he has recovered from an injury to his legs. Additionally, his wife left him. The utilities are in her name and need some payment before he can switch the accounts into his name. His landlord was patient with him concerning rent as long as he made some type of payments. Paul found himself depressed because of the combination of these factors over a short period. His pets are one of the few things keeping him going. He knows that he will need to move soon to an apartment that is more affordable but will likely not allow him to keep his pets.
	Oliver is a former inmate seeking employment. The obstacles to his employment include a suspended driver’s license. His lack of transportation when combined with a record makes it very difficult for him to gain employment. Added to this combination is the fact that he does not have a permanent address or phone number, relying on the generosity of friends for both. Without employment, he can’t earn money to pay the fees necessary to get a new license and transportation or a place to stay.
	Toni needed assistance with a deposit for electricity at a HUD approved apartment that she and her son would live in. Added to the situation is that her paycheck was not an option for taking care of the deposit because it was several weeks away. She needed to move as soon as possible because her landlord had handed her a notice to leave the premise, the first step in the process leading to eviction. Additionally, her landlord and neighbors created an environment that was hostile to her efforts of self-improvement and her son’s well being. Toni desperately desired to move into a new apartment so that she could feel safe in her own home. The father of her son abused both of them in the past and was scheduled for release from prison. Local assistance was very limited due to the funds were needed for a deposit not an overdue bill.