Resilience is learning to bend, not break, when times are tough.

Kentucky households can now apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Fall Subsidy. The program opened earlier this month, and is designed to ease the burden of heating your home in the winter months. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis through December 15, or until funds have been used.

LIHEAP Fall Subsidy provides households with a one-time benefit – ranging from $34 to $274, depending on housing category, fuel type used for heating, and income level. Benefits can be applied towards your home heating costs for electric, natural gas, propane, coal, wood, or fuel oil.

LIHEAP benefits are paid directly to your fuel vendor, and prior LIHEAP assistance does not impact your eligibility. Households must meet eligibility requirements, including income eligibility of up to and including 150% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Appointments are required in advance to apply. Eligible households can apply for one or both LIHEAP Subsidy and MSD’s Emergency Wastewater Rate Assistance Program (EWRAP).with one single appointment.

To apply, Jefferson County residents meeting eligibility can call the automated scheduler at 502-991-8391 or visit online at louisvilleky.cascheduler.com.

“The most fulfilling part of my job is actually helping people,” says LIHEAP Supervisor Brandon O'Neal, whose office serves more than 25,000 households every year. “It’s gratifying and exhilarating to see so many people leave our building with a smile on their face. And that's what keeps me coming back.”

For more information, visit the LIHEAP website.

IN THE NEWS

Magnificent Taste Coming Up Friday Get ready for some serious YUM! The annual RCS Magnificent Taste fundraiser is this Friday, Nov. 17, from 11:30am to 2pm at the Edison Center (701 W. Ormsby Ave.). Join us for a cornucopia of culinary delights from around the world! Your $10 ticket will help raise money for families in need, and will provide you with more scrumptious goodies than you can possibly handle!

Adopt a Family Through the RCS Holiday Line Spread some holiday cheer by adopting a family or senior citizen through the RCS Holiday Line! Just swing by the Edison Center (701 W. Ormsby Ave.), take an ornament from the tree in the lobby, and fill out the on-site sign-up sheet. Help us make this year's Holiday Line a Christmas miracle for those who need it.

VITA Tax Assistance Heroes: We Need You! Calling all VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) volunteer heroes! It's time - we need you. Please join us to celebrate and kick off the 2024 tax season by attending our recruiting event Friday, Dec. 8 at 5pm, at the Louisville Central Community Center (1300 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd.) Bring a friend! Wear a superhero T-shirt or a cape! And don't forget to RSVP!

RSVP Volunteer Judy Lizenby worked the RCS table at the Veterans Resource Fair, held Nov. 2 at the Humana Neighborhood Center. Thank you, Judy, for all that you do!

DID YOU KNOW?

Did you know the innovative Neighborhood Place program has its own interactive data dashboard? The dashboard - created and maintained by RCS Senior Data Analyst Erynn Moss - gives you immediate access to a trove of information, including who we serve, where we serve them, and what services are being used most. Click the image below to dive in!

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

Born and raised in Louisville, RSVP Program Coordinator Chris Clements describes himself as "a pretty energetic, bouncy kind of guy."

After high school, Chris took his Tigger-like energy to Lexington, where he says he had such a good time at the University of Kentucky, he decided to stick around for nine years, eventually earning three degrees: Bachelor's degrees in Political Science and History, as well as a Masters in Public Administration. 

When Chris came back to his roots in Louisville, he took a job as a coordinator at the nonprofit New Directions Housing Corporation.

“It really exposed me to people who are elderly and on fixed incomes, people who needed a lot of support," says Chris. "So that first job was an important piece for me.”

After working for the military health care program at Humana for a little while, Chris spent nearly 12 years at Catholic Charities, in their Migration and Refugee Services program. 

“It really opened my eyes and my heart and soul, to the sacrifices that people make to come here to the United States, to start their lives over with literally nothing," says Chris.

Eventually, Chris was recruited to come work at Metro RCS, which he saw as an opportunity to work with other nonprofits and organizations in the city

“I got the job and I am very happy," says Chris. "I like what I do because I do have this opportunity to work with more than 40 organizations.”

Chris is especially inspired by working with older folks who give much of their time to the RSVP program. 

“These people are an important part of our culture and lifestyle. I respect and admire them," he says. "Many of them are still giving it their all, trying to make a difference in the world. I am touched by them and I want to be there to make sure they have everything they need.”

Chris just celebrated seven-year Metro-versary, and he says his work at RCS perfectly suits his "bouncy" nature. 

“I just love helping people," he says. "I like to be out there and I like to make sure things get done. I just have a real compassionate and empathetic heart.”

CONNECT WITH US