Finding relief in the heat: Meet Jateir.

LaVonne (left) helps her client Jateir (right) pick up fans and an air conditioner.  

This summer’s extreme heat has been especially hard on families and individuals without access to air conditioning. For many, staying cool - and safe - has felt nearly impossible.

Jateir knows this struggle all too well.

“My house is hot all the time,” she explained, reflecting on how difficult the recent heat waves have been.

At times, the heat was so overwhelming that Jateir avoided staying in her home altogether.

Thankfully, Jateir’s case manager, LaVonne, stepped in to help. Lavonne connected Jateir to Step Forward’s Mobile Resource Fair and HEAP Client AC & Fan Pickup event. There, Jateir received two box fans and a new air conditioner - items that will bring instant relief and make her home liveable again.

“It’s going to help tremendously,” Jateir shared. “I’m grateful.”

For LaVonne, who regularly visits clients’ homes, the importance of these events is undeniable.

“Some of the houses I’ve gone into, I don’t see how people can live there,” she said. “These events are doing a tremendous service to the community.”