Heating Up Hope: Catherine's Quest to Replace Her 50-Year-Old Furnace"

Catherine Ramsell was in a bind. She knew that she needed to replace her 50-year old furnace, but had no idea where to start. Being on a fixed income, she was unsure of whether or not she would be able to come up with the money to replace an entire furnace. Looking for resources, one of her children contacted social services, and one of the pamphlets at the social services office said to contact GROW South Dakota for further help. This is where the pieces started to fall into place for Catherine. 

Once she applied, Catherine found out that she had been approved for furnace replacement through GROW South Dakota. In addition to her new furnace, Catherine also received assistance with a new central air unit, updated electrical work, eaves and rain spouts, plumbing repairs and two new storm doors. 

These improvements were instrumental in improving Catherine’s living conditions. Because of the assistance she received, she is now able to use a secondary bathroom in her home, her front and back doors no longer leak cold air, she no longer has any issue with ice and freezing rain because of the new rain spouts; and her new furnace has helped cut her propane costs. 

When asked how she felt about the improvements to her home, she had this to say, “I am so grateful for the help I have received. It has allowed me to stay in the home that I love, on the farm that I love. Thank you, GROW South Dakota. My future now looks brighter.”