Michael Swayze's Community Resources

Author: Michael Swayze

  • Dreams Do Come True

    On December 13, 1992 I wished there was someplace to refer families when no other resources were available to help with energy bills. Little did I know then that it would lead to the creation of New Jersey SHARES, a statewide energy nonprofit organization.

    Today, I need your help to keep my dream alive and to help New Jersey families stay warm. On February 1 & 2, 2018 NJ SHARES will be holding an event “Cool Down for Warmth” to both raise funds and to make our mission better known in our state of New Jersey.

    We’re building an Ice House – yes, an ICE HOUSE – in Newark to highlight the critical importance of heat during the cold winter months.

    You can help by making a donation. The average grant needed to restore/maintain utility service is about $400. Your donation makes a difference and may be eligible to be matched dollar for dollar by your utility company. So if you can give $50, it will have the impact of $100.

    Read my personal story then visit my fundraising page, New Jersey SHARES Ice House Challenge. Thank you.

    For more information on becoming involved, visit NJ SHARES Cool Down for Warmth Fundraising page.

  • Winter Termination Program Begins November 15

    The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities has announced the resumption of the Winter Termination Program which protects low and moderate income households from electric and gas termination, if they participate in certain energy programs. The program is in effect from November 15 through March 15.

    The Board indicated in their press release that information is also available on various energy assistance programs.

    The November 14 press release reads as follows:

    Today, the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (Board) highlights that November 15th is the beginning of its annual Winter Termination Program (WTP), which protects residential customers of the regulated electric and natural gas utilities in the state, who qualify and enroll in the program, from having their natural gas and/or electric service turned off during the upcoming winter season.

    “No one should fear or suffer the consequences from having their heat turned off in the dead of winter,” said Richard S. Mroz, N.J. Board of Public Utilities President. “The regulated utility companies want to work with their customers to ensure that they and their families can stay safe and warm during the winter. Yet it is important to stress that customers should make every effort to pay what they can during the winter months since their past due account balances come due once the Winter Termination Program ends. All too often, we see customers who experience financial hardship when the moratorium ends due to large balances owed. And if customers don’t satisfy their obligation, the utilities can turn off service after March 15.”

    The Board’s program runs from November 15, 2017 through March 15, 2018. All customers who are eligible for the WTP are required to enroll in a 12-month budget payment plan with their utility. The utilities are required to consider the customer’s ability to pay when setting up a payment plan. Customers are further required to make good faith payments toward their budget plan. Although service cannot be terminated during this winter moratorium, customers remain liable for the balance of their utility bills once the WTP ends on March 15.

    Customers who receive benefits from any one of the following programs are eligible to enroll and be protected by the Winter Termination Program: Lifeline Credit; Federal Home Energy Assistance; Work First New Jersey-Temporary Assistance to Needy Families; Federal Supplemental Security Income; Pharmaceutical Assistance to the Aged and Disabled; Work First New Jersey/General Assistance
    Benefits; and the Universal Service Fund. The program is also available to customers who fall into a “catch-all” category of people who are unable to pay their utility bills because of circumstances beyond their control, such as unemployment, death of wage earner or illness. In addition to the WTP, eligible customers can seek utility bill assistance help from several other programs. Information about these programs can be accessed on the Board’s website at: www.bpu.state.nj.us/bpu/assistance/programs/.

    Related pages on the New Jersey Community Resources website include:
    New Jersey Energy Assistance Programs, including income guidelines and a guide for Avoiding Utility Shutoffs in New Jersey.

  • International Rescue Committee Seeks Volunteers

    An email was recently sent by New Jersey’s leading refugee resettlement agency seeking volunteers. I urge you to read their message below. You can directly help arriving refugee families.

    The International Rescue Committee resettles over 70% of refugees arriving to New Jersey. If you would like to learn more about how refugees arrive in New Jersey, consider attending our Introduction to Refugee Resettlement Webinar, held the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 10:30 am. Please RSVP here.

    In addition:

    • IRC provides low cost and quality immigration legal services to anyone in the community. Under the supervision of a Board of Immigration Appeals accredited representative, clients receive assistance with a wide range of immigration related applications, including adjustments of status (green cards), family reunification petitions, employment authorization documents and citizenship applications. The IRC recently launched a new system for initiating citizenship applications online. Start your citizenship application today or call us at 908-351-5116 X116 to speak with our immigration department or schedule a consultation.
    • IRC is seeking community and faith based groups to be paired directly with a newly arriving refugee family through our HOME program (Housing Outreach Mentorship Education). Fill out this survey if your group is interested.

    Thanks so much.

    Visit IRC’s New Jersey website for additional volunteer opportunities or call Alison Millan, Resettlement Director, at 908-351-5116.