Maurice Vaughn never saw himself needing to ask for help of any kind from other people. He said that while he has always been able to work and take care of himself, he maybe hasn't been the best at planning for the future financially, especially when it comes to planning for an emergency.
Today, he sees things differently.
"I should have listened to my mom," he said in a recent phone interview. "I didn't expect this illness."
The 53-year-old has worked for a local steel warehouse for the past nine years, but in August he found himself in the hospital needing emergency dental surgery that required pulling most of his teeth. Recovery forced him to be off work for almost a month, and while he had insurance, it didn't cover everything.
He is back at work now but "the bills keep coming," he said. "I didn't lose anything, but I was on the verge of being evicted."
Vaughn said he'd heard of a friend who'd gotten help from the Chattanooga Times Free Press Neediest Cases Fund, through the United Way, and Vaughn reached out to find out how it worked. Through the fund, he was able to get his rent paid last month.
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While it has helped, Vaughn said it's still a struggle to dig out of the hole the bills have put him in.
"It took a little bite out of it, but once you are behind, it's hard to get caught up," he said. "Once you make this month's rent, the next one is right behind it, and you are back to square one."
Vaughn lives by himself and said a close friend has helped as much as she can, but, "She has her own issues."
He's thankful to be back at work but said dealing with an unexpected emergency can be life-altering, especially for someone unaccustomed to asking for help.
"People who go to work don't want help, or don't want to ask for it," he said. "Sometimes it can be pride, I think."
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The Times Free Press Neediest Cases Fund was started in 1914 by Adolph Ochs, then the publisher of the Chattanooga Times. The Fund receives donations from Times Free Press readers. Money is administered and distributed to individuals and families in need by the United Way of Greater Chattanooga and partner agencies. Recipients must be working or on a fixed income and be able to demonstrate ongoing stability and self-sufficiency after receiving Neediest Cases funds.
According to United Way figures, the Neediest Cases Fund took in $81,000 last year and, in turn, helped 79 adults and 61 children in 54 households. Neediest Cases money went in 2020 to 60 adults and 40 children in 42 households.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354. Follow him on Twitter @BarryJC.
Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Maurice Vaughn at his home in Chattanooga on Tuesday.