Positeen to provide utility, other assistance with United Way grant

Liz Zimmerman Keitt, director of Project Life: Positeen, said the center successfully applied for a $5,000 United Way of the Midlands grant.

The grant is designed to help agencies provide direct services benefitting households/individuals affected by Hurricane Helene in Orangeburg, Calhoun, Newberry, Lexington, Richland and Fairfield counties.

Approved expenditures included costs associated with restocking food pantries, home repairs for owner-occupied units and rentals, mortgage and utility assistance.

“United Way sends out the information, and we apply for everything that we can find to help low-income families. That’s how we got this grant,” Keitt said.

Applications for assistance will be available at the Project Life: Positeen site at 349 Summers Ave. in Orangeburg beginning Tuesday, March 25.

“Individuals can pick up applications from noon to 2 p.m. and from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday from Project Life: Positeen. We’ll have the application and everything ready for them,” Keitt said.

She said the money will be used to assist individuals/households with bills associated with rent, utility and light home repairs.

Applicants must present a current ID, household income, Social Security card, current utility bill and rent information.

“We look at households, especially those with children. Utility bills are mostly what we will be looking at. We’ll probably start with anyone with a utility bill over $400. We’re mostly concerned about these utility bills,” Keitt said.

“We’ll do the best we can with $5,000. As long as the funds last, we’ll be able to help,” she said.

Keitt, 86, said the nonprofit she founded is not solely about after-school tutoring, which it has been providing since 1992. A community walk, for example, has been planned for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, beginning at Project Life: Positeen’s headquarters on Summers Ave.

“Project Life is not just about tutoring. It’s about helping the total family, the whole group. Not just the children, but the whole family in all endeavors: rent, utilities and health. Whatever we can do, Project Life is here to serve,” Keitt said.

Dedicated staff makes it all possible.

“I just have to commend my staff. I have one of the best staffs in the world. We move along smoothly every day. It is so wonderful,” the director said.

Anyone interested in more information on Project Life: Positeen, including its recent grant, can call 803-534-4263 or email lizkeitt23@yahoo.com.