Success Stories — Great Northern Services

Thank you for the opportunity to express my heartfelt appreciation for your Energy Assistance Program! Being disabled I spent the majority of the winter months in my apartment wearing a heavy jacket, hat, leg warmers and sometimes gloves. Watching the clock for how long the heater was running and petrified to open my power bill. I was cold all through the night no matter how many blankets were on my bed. Grateful to have a hot shower to be warm ...

Help is there

Not too long ago Richard V. from Mt. Shasta received help paying his Pacific Power bill through the GNS Energy Assistance Department. He called us to tell us what a blessing it was. “I’ve been houseless, I was recently diagnosed with a terminal illness and I got into housing but I haven’t been able to work. I wasn’t even keeping my fridge turned on,” reported Richard, “The assistance made my life so much easier. Everyone was so pleasant and helpful ...

Finding the right solution for a difficult situation

Our Weatherization Team is just finishing up a job for Jason and Mike—two wonderful clients who are enjoying a new, safe and reliable heat source and whose home has been sealed up tight so all that lovely heat isn’t escaping. “I would say the weatherization was beyond successful,” said Jason, “It made a huge difference, the house is much more comfortable, and we don’t have to bundle up all the time.” Last year Jason and Mike needed a new heater—bad! ...

Economic Development

We received a RMAP loan which gave us the funds to build a kitchen and expand the business. We also added lodging in the back—the only lodging in Fort Jones at that time. Now 10 different artisans can rent space and showcase their work in the new location. The loan process was very straightforward and not time-consuming. Working with Seata was wonderful; the loan was just what we needed.
—Diane Postma, Owner of The Gifted Horse Lodge

Mini Pantries in Schools

The mini pantry has been a huge blessing for students and staff. The pantry allows us to nourish bodies so brains can work and takes the stress off the students and the teachers. It makes a huge difference in children’s behavior in the classroom.
—Kristen Riccomini, Title 1 teacher at Mt. Shasta Elementary

Home Weatherization

Weatherization on my apartment made quite a difference—I don’t even use the heater in the bedroom anymore, just the main room on the lowest setting. We’re near the river and we could always hear the train, but after GNS put in double pane windows and insulation it cut out all the noise. I’d gotten used to it after so many years in the apartment, now I wake up in the middle of the night because it’s too quiet.
—Nacho M. in Dunsmuir

Energy Assistance

Energy Assistance makes a huge difference to me. I’m on Social Security & it’s not much. I have to watch every penny I spend—even with the assistance. Having Great Northern Services help with my power bill frees up money for food. Claudia has gone out of her way not just this year but in the past. She really heard my situation, took it to heart, and was so helpful. She’s awesome.
—Don P. from Mt. Shasta, CA

Tailgate Produce Party Series

“Tell the people who donated ‘thank you.’ It helps a lot. My parents are on SSI and we have a household of 8—this really helps.”
— Manulani, Tailgate Produce Party attendee

Community Room

“The GNS Community Room has been an invaluable resource for our work. Our Adult Education Consortium has nine members from all ends of our very large, very rural county. It has been a constant challenge to find an appropriate meeting space that is central to everyone. In the past we struggled with finding a space that can fit the size of our monthly meetings (15-20 on average), and that also has the technological capabilities to videoconference in our members who must dial in remotely. The space is beautiful, comfortable and highly functional for meetings, trainings, workshops etc. The staff at GNS has been such a pleasure to work with, so welcoming and they truly epitomize what it means to build community. The Great Northern Services team and community room have solved a big challenge for our consortium and helped us elevate the level of professionalism and convenience for our very busy members to do the community-building work we are all so passionate about. We are very grateful.”
— Heather Stafford, Director of Adult Education for Siskiyou Adult Education Pathways

GNS Food Programs

“The GNS food programs in Dorris have helped so many of my clients—from the shut-ins to the young families with children. They all get excited when describing the produce.”
— Donna Crotty-Boyd, Service Coordinator for Far Northern Regional Center