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Dear One Step Closer,

We came into the program sort of by accident. Teresa was reading a New Times and happened to see your ad. At the time, due to Paul losing his job and Teresa being sick and missing a couple of weeks of work, we were unable to pay our rent. Also, our previous landlords had neglected to read our electric meter for four months. When they did read the meter, we were given a utility bill of over $300.00 and they were not willing to work with us on giving us time to pay it. Subsequently, we were given a five day notice to vacate.

I contacted One Step Closer on Friday and we were moving into our new apartment on Monday. Thank you so much for this program. If it were not for One Step Closer, we would be on the streets. We have benefited from the program in the fact that we did not have the money for a move in and you worked with us on the move in cost. We cannot pass a credit check for an apartment and yet you were still willing to give us a chance and put us in an apartment. It is easier to pay every two weeks, as Teresa gets paid, than it is by the month. You set up our rent payments for biweekly payments. Paul was put to work at another property for a week. You applied his pay to our rent. That allowed us to have money to pay other bills and buy food. Our caseworker, Velma Williams, continues to be a joy to work with. She has been able to give us some insight regarding options available to us for food, furniture, etc.

We are better off being in the program, than if we weren't. As stated before, we would be on the streets if it were not for One Step Closer.

Paul Bickford and Teresa Myers

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