Zetas Honor Six

“Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to be Silenced,” was the theme of this year’s Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Eta Upsilon Zeta Chapter Women’s History Month Program on March 13. Due to public health considerations, the 9th annual program was held on the interactive platform Zoom.

Chapter president Renetta Williams provided opening and closing remarks for the program and Sharon Tucker-Barbour was said to be a “dynamic, energetic and fun Mistress of Ceremonies” who smoothly transitioned the various segments. Indiana

Representatives Cherrish Pryor and Vanessa Summers engaged in a panel discussion regarding how they became interested in the political arena, as well as how to become more active and involved in the voting and governing processes. Gospel Artist Minister Cedric Wren Williams provided inspirational and upbeat musical entertainment and JaMaya Green read a powerful poem.

Eta Upsilon Zeta Chapter proudly honored and recognized the following phenomenal 2021 Women’s History Month Honorees making a difference in our community: Rose Crusoe, Linda Durril, Melissa Fisher, Regenia Jones, and Paulette Nellems. Also, Edna Metoyer and Mary Simpson, Zeta Doves—members with over 50 years of service— were also recognized and honored.

Free Career Fair

Ivy Tech Community College Fort Wayne/Warsaw invites the public to a Business Virtual Career Exploration and Job Fair on March 26 from 9 to 11 a.m. Ivy Tech faculty will present from 9 to 10 am., followed by the job fair from 10 to 11 a.m.

The job fair is designed to connect Ivy Tech students and community members to northern Indiana employers with hiring needs. Attendees will join the fair virtually and will be able to speak with northeast Indiana employers. Employers in attendance will include Swiss Re, Better Business Bureau, Micropulse, Do It Best, Work and Learn Indiana, State Farm, and Allen County Government. For more information contact Anh Dinh Lapsley at alapsley6@ivytech.edu

Energy Assistance Available

NIPSCO is reminding customers that bill payment assistance programs will continue to be available even though the state’s moratorium on disconnecting electric and natural gas service has passed.

LIHEAP Program: Support is available to households falling within 150% of federal poverty guidelines and is fully funded by a federal block grant offered through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Applications for heating assistance will be accepted through May 14, 2021. Summer cooling assistance will begin in June 2021—if remaining funds are available. Customers can learn more and find out if they qualify at eap.ihcda.in.gov or call 2-1-1.

NIPSCO Customer Assistance for Residential Energy (CARE) Discount Program: In addition to the assistance available through LIHEAP, the NIPSCO CARE Discount Program is designed to provide further bill reductions to LIHEAP-eligible customers. Once enrolled in LIHEAP, customers are automatically enrolled in the program, and reductions range from 11 to 26%, depending on the same criteria used by the state in determining the level of assistance. CARE discounts are available through May 31, 2021, or until funds are exhausted.

NIPSCO Hardship Program: For customers just outside the federal poverty guidelines for LIHEAP, the NIPSCO Hardship Program offers up to $400 in gas bill assistance to households between 151 and 250 percent of the federal poverty level. Hardship funds are available through many of the same local Community Action Agencies where LIHEAP funds are distributed and are available through May 31, 2021, or until funds are exhausted.

Township Trustees: A limited amount of energy assistance funds are available through local Township Trustee offices. NIPSCO customers are encouraged to contact their local Township Trustee to see what help may be available.

Payment Agreement: NIPSCO has expanded its flexible payment arrangements to allow customers to spread their past due balance over three or six months. Customers can learn more and enroll at NIPSCO.com/paymentplans. LIHEAP customers may qualify for a 12-month payment plan and should call NIPSCO’s Customer Care Center at 1-800-464-7726 to learn more and determine their eligibility.

For more information on billing options and payment assistance, visit NIPSCO.com/PaymentAssistance or call 1-800-4-NIPSCO (1-800-464-7726). Visit NIPSCO.com/Save for more information on available programs and other ways to save.