From our Files
Mr. L, age 67, suffered a heart attack and stroke and was hospitalized in a comatose state. His insurance was terminated due to nonpayment. When he came to, no amount of explaining on his part was able to get his coverage reinstated. This greatly compounded his medical crisis as no providers would accept him as a patient without coverage. Despite his greatly compromised health situation, Mr. L spent hours trying to get his coverage reinstated - without success. In desperation, he reached out to COC from his hospital bed, and in a very short time our caseworkers got his coverage reinstated retroactively.
The owner of Rockland Gourmet, a frozen food distribution business, purchased a warehouse he had previously been renting for all his frozen food. However, since the previous owner owed substantial sums to the utility company, they refused to create a new account under Rockland Gourmet. They threatened to shut off the electricity, which would have entailed an enormous financial loss for Rockland Gourmet. The owner sought the intervention of COC, and within 24 hours, the correct paperwork was filed, and a new account was created.
The Saeed* family, recent immigrants from Yemen, had Public Assistance to help pay their rent. The family did not speak English and could not read the recertification notices they received via mail. They did not recertify, and their benefits were terminated. By the time they turned to the COC for assistance, the family faced eviction. While the COC could not reinstate the PA due to changes in income, they were able to guide the landlord through an ERAP application to secure the family's residence for the ensuing two years and pay the due amount. Since then, the Saeed family brings their mail to the COC to identify what is essential, which we then read and translate for the family.
*name changed.
After a child was hit by a car on a local street that had no sidewalk, residents realized the severe safety hazard to pedestrians, especially at night. The winter months were of particular concern, as school dismissal is after nightfall and many children walk home on the street. The COC worked with residents to successfully petition the Town to install proper sidewalks.
M.L., a 4th grader, struggled socially: she was way ahead of her class academically, but she lacked the interpersonal skills to make and maintain friendships. The CEC provided a compatible certified child mentor who guided her and employed role-play techniques. The youngster gradually gained the skills and understanding of the friend-making process and effectively integrated her newfound knowledge into her social life.