WARWICK — Like many hardworking Rhode Islanders who are fortunate to have jobs, Amy Randall continues to struggle and has learned to make every penny count. Sometimes, despite her best efforts, the busy single mother just doesn’t have the money to make ends meet.
After paying rent, a monthly car payment, insurance and other bills, there is little money remaining to pay for food, utilities and other necessities. Without transportation, Randall would not be able to get to work.
Many Rhode Island families like the Randall’s, regardless of religious affiliation, depend on programs funded by the Catholic Charities Fund Appeal.
Randall, a billing and payment clerk at a local hospital, sought help this past winter from Bishop Thomas J. Tobin’s “Keep the Heat On” fund, which paid her overdue heating bill. Since 2006, the CCFA has provided $225,000 to KTHO to ensure that Rhode Island families will stay warm when temperatures drop. The Charity Fund resources are complimented each year by donations from generous individuals and organizations to help families with no place left to turn stay warm during the winter months.
“It helped immensely,” she said. “It wiped out a bill that I didn’t have to worry about. It gave me some peace of mind.”
Randall added that she also received assistance from the Cabrini Fund, which helped pay for day care for her children. Last fall, the diocesan Office of Community Services and Catholic Charities also provided much-needed backpacks and school supplies.
The concerned mother said while her former husband has been ordered by the courts to provide child support, he has not complied. She added that the children have not recently seen their father.
Randall said that she is grateful for the assistance provided by the diocese because otherwise, she does not qualify for any state programs.
“I was actually told by the state to quit my job and stay home, and then I would get full assistance,” she said. “That would teach my children that they could depend on the state and not have to work for a living. That doesn’t show good parenting.”
Randall noted proudly that her children will be attending St. Rose of Lima School in Warwick in September.
“I’ve finally worked it into my budget so that they will be able to go to a Catholic school this fall to get a better education.” She emphasized, adding that she has applied for financial aid and is awaiting approval.’
“It will be a big help,” she admitted.
Randall eventually hopes to return to school to study business management and move up the career ladder in the health care field but for now is just happy to be employed.
“I am very grateful for the assistance that I have received,” she said.
According to James Jahnz, coordinator of the “Keep the Heat On” fund, more than 1,150 households throughout Rhode Island have been assisted this heating season. The fund has provided $240,000 in assistance as of March 27.
“‘Keep the Heat On’ has helped more people in this heating season than any other individual year since the program began,” said Jahnz. “This far surpasses last year’s total.”
He added that despite the difficult economy, more donations have been made to the fund than in previous years.
“I want to thank those who have donated to ‘Keep the Heat On’ for their generosity,” he said. “As the moratorium for shutoffs by the Public Utilities Commission ends on April 15, there is still a great need for heating assistance throughout Rhode Island.”
