November 23, 2011

The home heating season is a time of increased uncertainty and anxiety for a great number of Michiana households. Many residents have no idea of how they will keep their families warm throughout what is predicted to be a harsh winter.

Starting this month, low-income residents can seek help with home-heating bills from the government's Energy Assistance Program, but proposed cuts mean that there's less money available. This at a time of economic hardships so widespread that many who had never required assistance find themselves in need of it.

Those who want to help struggling families in our area keep warm may choose to join "Team HEAT,'' an initiative of the United Way of St. Joseph County that grew out of the generosity of an anonymous donor.

Team HEAT -- Home Energy Assistance Team -- focuses on helping people avoid shutoffs and manage their resources. Clients accepted into the program, now in its fourth year, meet with a counselor and must commit to taking financial aid classes. Every month for five months, clients bring a receipt showing they've paid $50 on a utility bill; in return, the program pays another $50 on the bill.

It's teaching people how to fish, versus giving them fish, is the way Dawn Chapla of the United Way describes the program.

In order to serve more needy residents, the United Way is seeking folks to "adopt" a family for Team HEAT. The cost is $300 for five months ($250 for aid, plus $50 to administer the program). And the payoff -- helping a family stay warm in the short-term while developing skills for the long-term -- is immeasurable.

Adopt a family

Make out your $300 check to "United Way of St. Joseph County" with "Team HEAT" in the memo line and send it to United Way of St. Joseph County, Team HEAT, 3517 E. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend, IN 46615. Questions? Contact Dawn Chapla or Laura Stringfellow at 574-232-8201 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .