Sometimes life feels like one big thunderstorm…..Take Ashley** for example, who came in feeling defeated and hopeless. Earlier this year, Ashley was diagnosed with endometrial cancer and had been undergoing treatments that necessitated her husband missing work to take her to Idaho Falls multiple times a week. Having to miss work made for far less income, and for the first time ever, Ashley and her husband found themselves struggling to pay their basic household bills. Ashley reached out to The Community Resource Center, not knowing where else to turn. We were able to help Ashley apply to a special fund for women with cancer, which subsequently paid her electric and propane bills for the month. Additionally, the Community Resource Center was able to purchase insulin for Ashley, a medication that is crucial in managing her Type 1 diabetes. With this help, Ashley’s skies became a bit sunnier. She and her husband were able to regain hope and focus on beating her cancer!

Josh** was laid off in mid-March of 2020, as many businesses began to close in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a father of four and his household’s only source of income, he was naturally panicked about how to make ends meet in the weeks ahead. Josh reached out to the Community Resource Center of Teton Valley seeking assistance with his rent for April. Thanks to the generous supporters who fund our mission to serve individuals and families experiencing a crisis, we were able to provide direct and immediate financial assistance. While our case manager was working with Josh, we helped make him aware of several other resources in Teton Valley that could help support his family.

“I never felt alone or like we weren’t going to make it. The [Community Resource Center] are the heroes of the pandemic. They were constantly working hard to keep us all afloat...there every step of the way.”

Adam is an employee with the local school district. His job, and thus his pay, had changed due to COIVD-19 modifications and he found himself coming up short on rent. We referred him to an Idaho rent assistance program for which he qualified, affording him help with rent for three months. Additionally, Adam was not aware of other resources available locally such as energy assistance through Fall River Helping Hands and Teton Valley Food Pantry distribution hours. He let us know how comforting it was to have knowledge of all these resources.

Roberto** came in to speak with us about a seemingly difficult task of finding the money to have a much needed knee surgery. Uncertain of how to help him, we began to ask questions and thoroughly assess the situation. We learned that Roberto had no insurance but being 65 years old made him eligible for Medicare. He was not enrolled, as he was still working and was not aware that he must seek out the benefit. Additionally, we learned that he was eligible for further coverage through the recently expanded Medicaid program. Helping him gain access to both types of insurance coverage will allow him to get the surgery and return to work more efficiently.