Hi, my name is Shaun and this is my hope story…

I am a single father taking care of my young daughter, Coco, on a fixed income due to disability.

I am currently unable to work due to my physical disability and have been having a hard time keeping up with my utility bill. I was able to fill out a Low Income Energy Assistance Program application with the help of Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas partners. My Catholic Charities case manager reviewed my budget, helped me find my spending leaks, and helped me set up a payment plan that would not over exert my income. Talk about a huge help! No one had worked with me before on budgeting. With the collaboration of Northeast Kansas Community Action Program (NEK-CAP), Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas was able to pay $125 toward my past due balance electric bill and keep my electricity on for another 30 days. By identifying my spending leaks, my case manager helped me figure out how to budget to help me live within my means.

This is just the beginning, but I feel better about our future. Thank you, Catholic Charities, for giving me hope, for helping me, for taking the time to teach me about spending leaks. Now, I know how to budget, live within my means, and take care of myself and my daughter.