Rent and utility bills were piling up, and the money to pay them just was not there.
Nancy Cardwell had managed to survive the first few months of the coronavirus pandemic. Though she was forced to close her business, Furry Friends, in June, she had enough savings to pay bills, buy food and stay afloat.
But as the pandemic continued, the Greenwood resident realized in August she wasn’t going to make it on her own.
"I had been pretty current, but when August hit, there was just that few short in-betweens where I needed a little boost of help," she said.
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Cardwell is one of more than 220 local residents who have been helped by the United Way of Johnson County during the coronavirus crisis. Through its Economic Assistance Plan — Navigating COVID-19 program, the agency has distributed more than $235,000 to help people pay bills, and hire case managers to direct people through the unemployment benefits system and existing federal or state assistance set aside for them.
Following the trends
The United Way unveiled Economic Assistance Plan — Navigating COVID-19 in late April. People were able to apply for assistance, and if approved for the program, receive case management to help evaluate their needs, assess what other aid they might be able to receive and connect them to resources such as unemployment benefits, food pantries and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
The campaign was made possible by a $900,000 grant from the Lilly Endowment, a private philanthropic foundation, and Indiana United Ways, the statewide organization the United Way of Johnson County belongs to.
People who call the United Way’s Helpline and have been directly impacted by COVID-19 are referred to Gateway Services, which provides case management and services to get them the proper resources. Since March 16, the Helpline has received 512 calls related to difficulties stemming from the pandemic.
And 221 people have been referred to Gateway Services for help since April 14. Those referrals resulted in 152 cases that have been opened, with 37 cases closed after clients received the help they needed.
"We had a moment there where referrals were going down, but then it went back up," said Nancy Lohr Plake, executive director of the United Way of Johnson County. "The dollars, though, seem to be stabilizing. We’ll see what happens."
The assistance United Way is providing has leveled off after spiking in early August. But Plake is bracing for a potential rise in the number of people calling for help as the holidays approach.
As the pandemic stretches on, the unknown has them cautiously inching forward to make the most efficient use of their funding as possible, Plake said.
"We just don’t know. COVID cases keep going up. If we start closing down like we did in March, numbers are going to go up," she said. "You’re going to have people needing help. We’re really trying to monitor this and follow the trends."
‘A huge blow’
Without United Way’s assistance, clients such as Anna and David Clark may have lost their homes.
"We would not have been in a good place, and maybe would have had to move, if not for the United Way and Gateway Services," said Anna Clark, a Bargersville resident who received help through the program. "Between work possibilities and food distribution and help with rent and utilities, encouraging us in our heart to keep going, it was all wrapped up into one. What a blessing."
Clark and her husband, David, reached out to the Helpline in late July. The family’s income came from David Clark’s job as a school bus driver for Center Grove Community Schools. Not only did they lose out on his regular income when schools closed in the spring, but the additional money they made from him chauffeuring field trips evaporated.
"That was 2/3 of our income. It was a huge blow," Anna Clark said. "We weren’t able to compensate for that."
The Clarks spoke with their landlord at Hartshire Lakes Apartments in Bargersville, concerned that they wouldn’t be able to pay rent. They were pointed toward the United Way for help.
Contacting the agency immediately, they were assigned a caseworker who started offering assistance and direction. The caseworker was able to help them get their rent paid, and get money for their utility bills. To help the couple get access to food, she gave them information about local food pantries and how they could get help from them.
"Having the rent paid for that month was a big help, a godsend," Anna Clark said.
The caseworker also worked with Anna Clark on getting a job. She has a disability and has not worked for 20 years. Trying to go back into the workforce was daunting. But the caseworker helped her with five different leads on jobs, which Anna Clark pursued.
In September, income trickled back in for the Clarks. David Clark chauffeured a few field trips, helping the situation. Additional income came as Center Grove students returned to the classroom and David Clark worked more regularly.
"It’s gotten us out of the woods," Anna Clark said. "It’s really been a blessing in more ways than one."
Tough time for everybody
Cardwell had operated Furry Friends, boarding and grooming dogs, since 2011. But the virus decimated her business — not only forcing her to close for long stretches in the spring, but greatly decreasing the amount of people needing boarding services, since few people were taking vacations.
She closed the doors on June 1. It was the first time in 47 years she had been without a job.
"I had a little savings going, and it got me through August. But by then, it was pretty tough," she said. "I’m 67 years old, and even trying to get out there and do another job, it was so tough."
Looking for help, Cardwell reached out to Our Lady of the Greenwood Catholic Church. The church referred her to the United Way, which was equipped and prepared to deal with the onslaught of people struggling during the pandemic.
After calling the Helpline, she was assigned a caseworker, who provided attention and assistance well beyond what Cardwell was expecting. The caseworker helped her fill out paperwork, and worked with her to create a budget. Monetary assistance allowed Cardwell to pay her rent and utilities in August and September.
"They were amazing. She treated me like I was her only case and did things very quickly," she said. "Right from the start, they were right on top of it. I can’t even begin to show my appreciation."
Cardwell’s life has stabilized. She found a small income from babysitting her granddaughter during the week. She is also doing some limited dog grooming to help pay bills.
But she shudders to think what would have happened without the United Way.
"If it wasn’t for people giving to the United Way, to help people like myself, I don’t know what would have happened. All I can say is I’m so appreciative," she said. "I’m so grateful to God that there are organizations like this to help people like us, who have tried, but it’s just a tough time for everybody."
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”Economic Assistance Plan — Navigating COVID-19″ ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
What: A program for Johnson County residents who are needing assistance will receive case management that will help evaluate their situation, assess what other assistance they might be able to receive and connect them to resources such as unemployment, food pantries and SNAP benefits.
Who: United Way of Johnson County
How is it funded: The United Way received a $900,000 grant from the Lilly Endowment and Indiana United Ways. Local business and organizations have also contributed money.
How to get help
Those affected by COVID-19 will need to call the Helpline at 317-738-4636. Eligibility for the program are the following:
- Resident of Johnson County at the time of job/income loss
- Client remains a resident of Johnson County while in case management
- Job loss or a minimum 50% loss of family income since March 1, 2020 due to COVID-19
- Job loss could include those due to employer closing or furloughing workers due to COVID-19; due to childcare issues due to COVID-19, or due to illness of the individual or household member with COVID-19
- Loss of household income because of death of income earner because of COVID-19
- Participant agrees to take part in the case management program
Information: uwjc.org
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