Countdown to Homelessness...Day 13...

The Non(e) in Nonprofits...

Last summer, I tried to get some help with our gas bill—(I’ll spare you my rant on the energy company jackals...)

Every agency I called took a major effort on my part emotionally—I had to psyche myself up first—think positive while I prepared myself for a ‘No’. I had to be prepared with answers that they would understand—short, to the point and in their vernacular. I had to overcome my reticence and my pride. Sometimes, I could only call one or two in a day—I’d be so devastated by hearing No.

Most every agency was plumb out of money. It was the end of the fiscal year. (Right, what was I thinking? I should have planned my crisis better!)

Or I didn’t meet their requirement—some of of which were pretty bizarre—

Have your utilities been turned off already?—Then, nope, sorry, you should’ve...

Are you mentally ill?

When was the last time you made a payment?—Two weeks ago? Then no, you have to have not paid for 3 mo...

How many small children are in the house?—None? No, we only...

The last non-profit on the list was the Urban League, who purportedly still had funds. The lady who answered the phone asked if I was currently employed—

No, I’m trying to find a job... She cut me off—

Well, if you don’t have a regular income, you don’t qualify for help.

Did I hear her correctly? Excuse me?

She repeated what she’d just said. (Oh...I did hear her right...) I replied,

If I had a regular income, you see, I wouldn’t need help... —She cut me off again,

Those are the rules, Miss. I don't make 'em and I don't break 'em...

I never did figure out that conundrum but I understood why they still had funds...

So, I lived without electricity for the next three months. I was grateful that it was summer... Actually, it turned out to be kind of wonderful. Life got simpler. No TV racket, no computer to distract me and when it got dark, I had to go to sleep or else read by kerosene.

It was during those three months, I began to discover some of the most unlikely angels in my life...

Next installment—

Angels and Jackals

Copyright © 2009 Stephanie Ericsson All Rights Reserved