Labor Union Blog

Judy Parkins, AFL-CIO director of Community Services, sends us this report.

The North Central Indiana AFL-CIO Council and United Way in South Bend are giving community members the opportunity to Adopt a Family and heat a home. Dawn Chapla, AFL-CIO Community Services liaison, wrote the grant that will match donated dollars for heating, provide free budget counseling and provide a case coordinator to develop and work on a plan of action.

The labor council works to build and identify tools like the Team HEAT grant, free tax assistance and financial education for members and their families. Union leaders know that the more members work with local case coordinators, the better their outcomes are. Says Chapla:

The Team HEAT program helps to let people know they are pulling their share and not just getting a hand out. It is also helpful for those needing help for the first time to have a “cheerleader” in their corner.

For more on Team Heat, click here.