Mr. Perry had been without utilities for three months by the time he came to Sister Visitor Center for help. In his 70s and disabled due to severe arthritis in his legs, he fell behind when his sister, with whom he shared a duplex, became ill and was moved to a nursing home, leaving him with all of the rent and utilities.

“How in the world have you been surviving?” Case Manager Audrey Penman asked him. He told her he was adventurous and not easily defeated. He cooked outside on a grill and combatted temperatures with extra clothing.

Like most people who come to Sister Visitor Center for help, Mr. Perry was hindered by an accumulation of problems symptomatic of living in chronic need. “He couldn’t call LG&E about his situation because he didn’t have a phone,“ Audrey explained.

So Audrey called LG&E, made a payment, worked out a payment plan, and got Mr. Perry’s utilities back on. Then she ordered him a phone so he can stay in contact with his son out of town, friends, and, yes, utility companies.

His landlord rented out the other unit in the duplex and Mr. Perry can now meet his bills. He receives food from the food pantry, and stops by occasionally just to check in.

“It’s heartwarming,” Audrey said, “especially when I help seniors when things are just popping up and going crazy. It feels good to help folk.”