Reservation communities are often marked by resilience in the face of hardship. In the remote areas of the Navajo Nation, where nearly 1 in 4 homes are considered substandard and winters can be long and bitter, many Elders struggle to keep warm. But thanks to donors supporting the Southwest Reservation Aid® (SWRA) program of Partnership With Native Americans® (PWNA), Elders like Kathy are receiving the help they need to stay safe and warm.

Kathy, a 69-year-old retiree, lives alone in the Pinedale Chapter of the Navajo Nation. For more than 30 years, she worked at the local Indian Health Service clinic. Her days are quieter now, and she spends time listening to traditional Navajo music on the radio or watching the rain from her window. But living alone in an isolated area brings unique challenges.

“I use firewood and electricity to heat my home,” Kathy shared. “At night, I turn on the heater — but the electric bill is one thing that’s always so hard for me. It’s getting too high.”

Kathy tries to conserve what she can by using her washer and dryer only twice a month, showering once a week, and limiting her appliance use. But even with Social Security, retirement income, and a small monthly food stamp allotment, the rising cost of essentials — including food, water, fuel, and truck payments — can quickly become overwhelming.

That’s why SWRA’s Winter Fuel service made such a difference this past winter. With the help of generous donors, Kathy received a $200 credit on her electric bill.

“When I found out my electric bill was paid for, I had to sit down because I was so surprised,” she recalled. “That kept me going from January to February.”

Living in the home her adoptive parents gave her — and where they are now buried — Kathy prefers to stay rooted in her community, even though it means sacrifices. “It’s hard to live out here, but I don’t want to go live in Gallup,” she said. “This is what my mom and dad gave me. I guess I’m living the old ways.”

Due to her age and physical limitations, Kathy can no longer gather firewood herself. Instead, she pays her grandson Isaiah — who lives 18 miles away — or her kind neighbor, Jerry, to help. With the money saved from her electric bill, Kathy was even able to get a much-needed oil change on her vehicle.

“Thank you so much,” Kathy said. “It really helped me. Bless you all! People like those who donate have a heart. If it weren’t for this, we’d be in the dumps. We’d be starving with no lights or water.”

Donors who support SWRA’s Winter Fuel service are not only helping Elders like Kathy stay warm — they’re helping preserve dignity and hope across Native communities.