Hi, my name is Jodi and I have been a member of this site for a while and absolutely love it and everyone I have had contact with! I am a single mother of two boys, 13 & 10 and live in the 43204 area code. I have a problem and am not exactly sure where to turn for help. Last November my hot water tank went out and before I realized it had a massive leak a lot of water had been lost. I then went without hot water for several months until I could find another hot water tank I could afford. I was so excited! Then I got my water bill.. it was a whopping $1600.. I thought I was going to die. I did not know how I was ever going to be able to pay this bill in such a short time. Needless to say, they turned my water off. I went about 2months without water and had to fill up bottles/jugs at my parents house to bring home. My children and I had to then go to my parents house to take our showers. It was devastating.. but I had no choice. Then I recieved my stimulus check and contacted the water company. A very nice rep there allowed me to pay half the bill to have my water turned back on. I was so extremely happy. I'm currently not working but in the midst of enrolling in school. So the only money I have at this time is from my child support. I just got my home in June 2007, my first home.. then I lost my job of 7 years in November.. once again devastating. I am now in foreclosure and have applied for a low income apartment.. in which I am on a waiting list of about 6months until I can move. I recieved a notice that I must pay $860 (which is the other half of the $1600) or they are going to shut my water off again. I have called a lot of organizations and everyone will help with other utilities but I cannot find anyone that can help with a water bill. My 13yr old started school yesterday so I had to spend around $100 for his school supplies and uniforms & shoes. My parents have a limited income as my dad just had a hip replacement and my mom was laid off from her job and is now only recieving a severence that is due to end this October.

If anyone knows of somewhere I can turn to for assistance in paying this bill so I have water I would be forever grateful. Once I get thru this boulder in the road I will be able to keep up on a "normal" bill until my spot comes up on the apartment waiting list. I am just on pins and needles worrying about this contstantly. I hate having to put my children thru this again.. it's so hard to explain why we have to go to grandma & grandpa's house to take our showers and do our laundry. It really makes me feel like a failure. But, I'm trying to stay strong and am hoping for the best.

So, if anyone knows of any organizations that could help or suggestions on where I can turn I would appreciate it dearly. I thought that possibly someone at the Twoshirts site may have a resource I could contact. Thank you for listening and for any help you can provide my family and I.

Jodi