When families struggle financially, they face impossible choices. Feeding the kids or paying the rent may mean energy bills get shoved aside—until the lights and heat are at risk of being turned off. That’s a crisis that a unique partnership in Michigan works hard to avoid.
The Michigan Energy Assistance Program, Consumers Energy’s CARE program and United Way work together to provide resources for vulnerable individuals and families to catch up on overdue energy bills. Our Jackson County site operates a Program Assistance Center to help people across Michigan. Here are a few success stories—including one in the clients’ own words:
A client was approved for assistance and stated in many different ways how the Program Assistance Team built trust with her through “the nicest, sweetest staff out of all the agencies” she had dealt with.
Another client had applied for assistance but struggled to understand how the program works. A conversation with a Program Assistance Center staff person helped her understand all her options and decide the right path forward. The caller said PAC representative “had a beautiful way of laying everything out,” listened carefully and was patient. The client felt respected and said of her PAC contact, “She gave out beauty.”
Yet another client said: “It’s been rough, like for so many others. But my reason for writing is to give you and your organization the BIGGEST THANK YOU I could EVER express. You have so entirely helped us so much…. Thank you!!!! Now with your continued help I can get Christmas presents and not have to worry about the lights and heat. We love you!”
Between October 2021 and March 2022, the Michigan Energy Assistance Program alone provided $2,749,329 in direct energy assistance to 4,069 households. Our Program Assistance Center not only connected people to that assistance, we also linked people to other resources to achieve financial stability and self sufficiency.
That’s the power of your support for United Way. Please give.