SUCCESS STORY
Mrs. L lives in Laurens
County. She is 59 years old, lives alone and has been laid off from her full
time job. This has been devastating to Mrs. L because she has always been
self-sufficient and able to pay her own bills. Now, at this age, she must look to
other means of assistance. While being interviewed, she expressed how difficult
it is to ask for someone else to look at your bills and know you may be cut off
or lose your house.
Golden Strip Emergency
Relief volunteers are extremely sensitive to this type of situation. She was
assured that the information would not be shared—only with her permission,
could we even call a utility company. This seemed to make her feel at ease. We
do have private interview rooms and try to always assure clients of their privacy.
On her next visit, Mrs. L was looking for a job, even a part-time job, although
she was receiving unemployment by this time. She also had a daughter who, since
her first visit, had moved back in with her. They both were looking for work at
this time. Parents will always be parents and help their children out—even
adult children.
Golden Strip has been able
to help her with the electric bill and food over a year’s time. On the last
visit by Mrs. L, she had decided to get her GED, so that she could better equip
herself for employment. As a result of that last visit, our agency was able to
provide a referral and information for her to attend GED classes here on
campus, where we are located, Center for Community Services.
Without the allocation from
United Way of Laurens County, we would not have been able to assist Mrs. L with
her needs. She is striving to return to the working world, and she is becoming
self-sufficient again. Success stories are hard to come by right now—when jobs
are so few, and funds are tight. Sometimes it doesn’t have to be a large amount
to help someone move on and move forward. We feel blessed to have the funding
and necessary resources to provide to Mrs. L and to many others in our coverage
area of Laurens County.
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