Pattie's Story

In this economy, saving up to buy a home, go back to school, or start a small business isn’t easy. Through our CommonCents program, our financial education staff work tirelessly to help each participant open the door to financial success. So when we learned that Greenfield residents Bethany, 14, and Ricia, 17, dreamed of the day when they could close their doors, we were a bit surprised. 

Before Bethany and Ricia’s mother, Pattie (pictured to the right), completed our CommonCents program, she and her two daughters lived in tight quarters. “Both Bethany and Ricia had walk-through rooms, and the curtain dividers didn’t allow for much privacy,” Pattie explained. Through her hard-earned savings, coupled with CommonCents financial education classes and a 3-to-1 savings match from us, Pattie became a first-time homeowner. With plans to renovate her own bedroom in the near future, Pattie currently sleeps in the living room so that both girls can enjoy their very own, newly-decorated bedrooms! “The first thing I did when we moved in was go up to my room and close my door—I was just so excited to have one!” said Ricia. We’re thrilled that Bethany and Ricia now have the opportunity to close their doors while Pattie continues work with our CommonCents staff to open new ones for her entire family.

 

Nancy's Story

Nancy Parsons of Belchertown loved to sit at her kitchen table and look out the window. But it was too cold to sit there. 

Nancy is a senior citizen living on a fixed income. Ever since her husband died six years ago, it's been getting more difficult each year to make ends meet. "I live in an older mobile home," said Nancy. "It was drafty, and the floors were very cold. The Weatherization program found and sealed where the drafts were coming from, insulated underneath my home, and added insulation around my front bay window."

Next, we dealt with Nancy's heating system. "Last winter, I had trouble with my furnace just shutting off and not restarting," she said. "One time my pipes froze because of it. Community Action was able to replace it with a furnace that is not only reliable, but burns less oil. What a relief to not have to worry!"

Nancy still has trouble paying her bills. So we also helped reduce Nancy's costs by enrolling her in our Fuel Assistance program.

Nancy appreciated Community Action's emphasis on good customer service. "The workers were just fabulous," said Nancy. "They were very friendly and knowledgeable, and took the time to explain what they were doing and why."

We're pleased to be able to help people like Nancy Parsons stay safe and warm in their own homes. And thanks to increased resources through stimulus funding, we are able to weatherize even more homes in Hampshire and Franklin Counties, and do even more work in each home than in 2009. Now many other people like Nancy can have the simple joy of looking out their window while feeling cozy and warm.