A woman named Leigh came to our office in Romney carrying a heavy burden — a high electricity termination notice that threatened her comfort and stability. But behind that one bill was a much deeper story of perseverance and hope.
Leigh had recently returned to work after being seriously injured in a car accident. During her recovery, she faced the emotional and financial challenges of being out of work, all while trying to maintain a warm and safe environment to heal — often needing to keep the heat turned up higher than usual due to limited mobility.
Despite falling behind on bills during her recovery, Leigh worked hard to keep herself afloat. And when she was finally able to return to work, she felt hopeful again — but that looming electric bill remained a major hurdle. She had hoped for assistance from LIEAP, but when that didn’t come through, she turned to us.
While the amount due was beyond what Catholic Charities could cover alone, we reached out through our trusted partnership network in Keyser. Together — with a little input from Leigh and a lot of compassion from our community — we were able to bridge the gap. Her power stayed on, her stress lifted, and she could finally focus on healing and building her future with peace of mind.
Now with a steady income, Leigh is standing strong. And we are reminded once again: when we come together, guided by God’s love, we can bring light into the darkest moments.
We are grateful for the partnerships and supporters who make stories like Leigh’s possible. You are helping us serve with love, compassion, and hope — every single day.
To learn more about Catholic Charities West Virginia, contact us here.
