IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE…

Sometimes ordinary Oregonians find themselves in hardship situations that can lead to a financial crisis.  That’s when getting the emergency energy assistance they need to pay their utility bills can go a long way to supporting household stability.  Below are four stories from the Portland Metro area that illustrate scenarios where neighbors helping neighbors through the power of giving makes a truly powerful difference.

Snow Ball Effect: “Due to a winter ice storm that temporarily closed down her work place, my roommate wasn’t paid and couldn’t cover her portion of the rent.  This happened right after my dad passed away.  So I was simultaneously hit with the full cost of rent, and helping my family pay for the funeral.  When we received a higher than usual energy bill that month due to record low temperatures, the bills snow balled out of control.  Friends suggested I check the Oregon Energy Fund website for resources, and before long, we were getting help with our energy bill to stabilize our finances enough to keep it all together through that rocky period.” -Gresham Area Student

Staying Warm and Housed: “I live alone on a fixed income and I do everything I can to keep costs down on a very tight budget.   To be eligible for my affordable housing program I cannot risk a lapse of payment or a shut off of my utilities, but this past winter was so bad my utility bill jumped up to more than $300.  I was so scared I did not have enough money to pay the bill this time, but a neighbor told me about Oregon Energy Fund.  With their help I was able to take care of my energy bill so that I don’t have to risk losing my apartment on top of everything else.” –Downtown Portland Area Resident

Family Copes with Lost Wages: “My husband lost his job.  Since then he has been seeking employment for over two months. Money has been tight and we’ve had to make tough choices between things like buying food and medicine so I appreciated the emergency help we received when we couldn’t pay our utility bill.  I think about all the ways this helps our family function at a basic level by providing lights, refrigeration, cooking heat, and much more.” –North Portland Area Family

Aging at Home: “My parents are doing what they can to stay in the home they have lived in for almost 40 years.  They receive SSI and sometimes it is difficult to stay on top of the heating and cooling bills when they have so many medical needs and it essential expenses to take care of.  They used to donate to charity to help others; and they were embarrassed when they needed charity themselves.  What a relief it was to know that Oregon Energy Fund was there when they needed to get help with their utility bill.” –SW Portland Elderly Couple

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I AM POWERED BY MY CHILDREN

“As a stay at home mom, my children are my fulltime job and my daily joy. But when we lost my husband to a car accident in 2014, raising two young children became my greatest concern. We had just moved to rural Oregon and suddenly, our sole source of both income and support were gone… we were surrounded by boxes and struggling with grief. I knew my children needed me to be strong more than ever before – so I reached out for help. New neighbors stepped in to watch our little ones, a local food co-op provided some dinners, a church group arrived to help me move furniture and get unpacked; and Oregon Energy Fund provided utility assistance that allowed me to save money for food, transportation, and my youngest child’s medicine. I was able to find a job and secure childcare and slowly, we are rebuilding our lives. I am forever grateful to the Oregonians that were there for us when we needed them most.”

–Oregon Energy Fund Recipient, 2016

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POWERED BY PURPOSE

I hope you have been enjoying your summer so far. For me personally, it’s off to a great start with lots of time being spent with family and friends, along with an extra dose of Vitamin D from the sunny days that have [finally] found their way to us.

To a certain extent, you might call me solar powered, as there is nothing I love more than being outside and enjoying what this amazing state has to offer. Sunny days in Oregon, no matter the season, always add a bit more energy to my well-being.

In addition to sunshine, I am also powered by my family. My kids and my wife inspire me every day, pushing me to be the best that I can be. Making sure that their needs are met – that they are safe, happy, and healthy – are always my primary motivations.

Our 2017-2018 campaign is focused on our vision of “Power for All.” A focus that we believe strengthens our mission to assist our neighbors in financial crisis with their energy bills, in support of household stability. Truly, our goal is to ensure that all Oregonians can remain healthy, safe, and housed, even during the most difficult times of life.

So now we ask you – our supporters – what powers you? What inspires you every day to go out into the world and do your part? What gets you energized to do more for others? This summer, we want to hear from Oregonians from all walks of life, about what power means to them – and, most importantly, how we can do more to Power Lives… whether it’s yours, your neighbor’s, or another community member that is struggling with a crisis.

I hope that you are enjoying your summer and that you will take the time this season to get involved with Oregon Energy Fund. There are powerful ways to work with us at every level, including volunteerism, partnership, and financial contributions. For example, by joining The Power Grid network, you have the ability to help
us support Oregon families, build new partnerships, and spread our message statewide. Simply put: we all have a role to play if we wish to generate power for all. I invite you to reach out to me personally at (971) 386-2124, ext. 107, if you ever wish to chat. Until then, we wish you a happy, healthy, (and not-too-hot) summer!

–Brian Allbritton, Executive Director

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