Community Action Partnership for Somerset County - Tableland Services, Inc.
Ron Sirbaugh

Ron Sirbaugh was a team trucker with his partner, Janet Miller. As such, they made more than enough money to live on. But in an instant, that all changed. One serious accident left both injured to the point where they could not work.

More and more time passed and the pair were unable to return to work. They lost their house and most of their possessions – everything they had worked for a lifetime to achieve. They moved into a small neighborhood to be closer to family.

Ron accepted an offer to work for a man in exchange for a place to live. With high hopes, he soon discovered they had very little to work with when it came to this house. With no electricity or running water, they used a kerosene heater for warmth while a neighboring business allowed them to run extension cords for lights.

In Spring 2004, Ron contacted the Community Action Partnership for Somerset County, Tableland Services, Inc. He was looking for someone to help with the kerosene to heat the house. With it costing about $5 a day to heat the house, the pair did not have the money to keep the heater running.

The longer the caseworker listened to their story, the more she questioned the safety of their living conditions. With some checking, she found out the man who so “generously” offered the home did not even own it. Rather, the bank had foreclosed on the house. Undeterred, Ron and Janet began talking with the bank about somehow buying the house only to find out it had been condemned and would possibly never be deemed livable.

The case workers suggested Ron visit Tableland. With that, they concluded they were the perfect candidates for Tableland’s Supportive Housing Program. Tableland found them an apartment in a neighboring town that provided many more employment options. Considering they had no transportation, their new location also meant they were closer to various job opportunities.

With the help of Tableland’s CareerLink programs, Ron quickly found employment as a cook while Janet supported the couple by keeping their new apartment clean, working to turn it into a home. They also took advantage of the agency’s food pantry and transportations services.

Some contributions allowed Ron and Janet to furnish their apartment and turn it into a very comfortable and livable home. Tableland’s counseling and life skills program have taught them to save money for utilities. They also are working toward saving for their own vehicle

When Ron first came to Tableland, his goals were simple: to find affordable, clean, safe housing; obtain steady employment and learn money management skills. With the support of Tableland and Janet, Ron quickly achieved those goals, restoring his self esteem.

“We have a whole new way of living and a new life,” Ron said. Self-sufficiency means “being able to support myself and my spouse…I think you have a fantastic program and it has changed my life forever.”

Ron now plans to find an even better paying job and someday purchase a home for his new wife.

On Aug. 20, 2004, after living together for more than 9 years, Ron and Janet were married and continue to strive to make a better life for themselves. All indicators are that Ron and Janet are well on their way to having a very long and happy life together.

Tableland Services, Inc. – Community Action Partnership of Somerset County – provides programming to help low-income individuals and families in their community achieve independence.