Life is a precious thing and being part of a team, couple, family, and community helps us live a full life. Over the years we have seen more than one neighbor who has lost someone they depended on for comfort, love, and stability. This is the story of Nate, who lost his father recently. It had been just the two of them since his mother passes over 10 years ago and Nate was his aging father’s primary care giver. He had been working part-time in order to make sure he was available to care for his father. Now, Nate is on his own and adjusting to a new life. While he was looking for a job that is full time and would be enough income to cover all his needs, Nate found a couple of utility bills that his father had opened and not shown him in the month prior to his passing. 

When Nate called to confirm these bills were still unpaid he realized that another month was also due and he did not have enough to pay them. The utility company told him about Good Neighbors and that we could help. Nate decided to call and make an appointment to come and speak with a coach. While at his appointment Nate shared that he had been taking take of a sick parent for several years and that he had dropped out of school to take care of his father. He also shared that a new job was going to be able to help him get back on track; however, to do that he would have to finish school and get his HiSET Diploma. Nate really wanted to get his diploma, so the coach went over some information on how to do it. Good Neighbors also helped pay a portion of the utility bill to avoid a disconnection of service. 

By the end of Nate’s appointment, he was feeling much more optimistic about where his life was headed saying, “I am going to pay my part on the bill today and call to apply to take the Hi SET Test. Thank you for all your help!”