Also, Duke doubles energy assistance; Ascension offers baby safety tips

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Rev. Ruth Lawson, the founder of Coordinated Assistance Ministries and its interim Executive Director, has announced her resignation. The long-time advocate for the homeless and underprivileged in the community is leaving the organization to better serve those in need.

Lawson returned to CAM earlier this year, seeking to stabilize the nonprofit as it struggles with internal upheavals and financial uncertainty. After four months in the interim leadership role, she announced on Sept. 21 that she had left to assume a role with Helping Our Homies, an organization she believes is positioned to directly address homelessness in Kokomo and Howard County.

She also has become involved with the Validus Movement which seeks to restore opportunities to those struggling to rebuild their lives and seek agency after a period of incarceration.

Following is the statement she made to the community.

“May 4th to September 2, 2026, I came back to CAM, Inc. as Interim Executive Director. I was delighted to see so many former clients, but sad to see so many more people living on the streets. Many are working jobs, but not enough to pay $900 a month rent and deposit.

“Since retiring in 2019 and coming back, I see the same apartment that was for $450 is now $900. A conversation tonight was, “We found a 2 bedroom for $1,200.” My answer was, “I’m so sorry these prices are so high.” The answer, “It’s ok. Most people don’t realize how it hurts the common man.”

“So, on September 2nd, my heart led me to resign from CAM, Inc. and move over to work with Helping Our Homies (led by) Naketa Catchings, and work to house those who are on the streets to indoors with The Validus Movement, Devon Rush.

“The area I’m presently working on with Helping Our Homies and The Validus Movement is developing warming/cooling sites in other parts of Howard County: south-end, north-end, and other needed areas. We can do this.”

CAM has not yet announced who will step into the Executive Director position with its organization after Lawson’s departure.

Duke doubles energy assistance

Duke Energy is doubling its available financial assistance to help Hoosiers pay their energy bills. This boost for 2026 comes from the company’s Share the Light Fund, which is supported by Duke Energy shareholders, its foundation and voluntary contributions from customers and employees.

Last year, Duke Energy Indiana provided $450,000 in shareholder funding for direct bill assistance through its Share the Light Fund. This year, the company is providing $900,000 in funding from shareholders through a combination of its Share the Light Fund and its new Summer Energy Credit program.

Since 2022, Share the Light Fund has provided more than $2.8 million in bill assistance, helping support more than 9,700 Indiana households. This boost to assistance is timely, as this summer has been particularly warm, which can drive up energy use.

For example, already this month, Indiana’s “cooling degree days” are 70 percent higher than normal for September. Cooling degree days are a measure of how much cooling is needed based on outdoor temperatures.

Duke Energy works with the Indiana Community Action Association to distribute funds to qualifying residents to pay utility bills, deposits and reconnection/connection charges. Eligibility for the Share the Light Fund is based on income, family size and the availability of resources.

Qualifying Hoosiers can receive up to a $250 credit annually on their account. Individuals should contact their local community action agency to see if they are eligible. Additional information and contacts for each county’s Share the Light program can be found at https://www.incap.org/duke-share-the-light-

Duke Energy offers a number of other tools and resources to help customers take control of their energy use and save money, including:

• Payment Assistance Finder, a free online tool that directs customers to local assistance resources in their area through a simple zip code search.
• Usage Alerts that send customers a notification of how much electricity they are using and its cost midway through their billing cycle so they can make adjustments before their billing period ends.
• The “Smart Usage Option” – a new time-of-use rate for residential customers that helps them save on their bills by shifting typical household chores to times when there is less demand for power.
• Free home energy audits, where energy professionals assess a home in-person or virtually for efficiency and provide customers with a toolkit of energy-saving devices.
• Installment payment plans for customers needing flexibility.

To learn more about these programs, visit duke-energy.com/SeasonalSavings.

“Through the heat of the summer and the chill of winter, we want to be there when our customers need us most. Extreme temperatures can drive up energy bills and the Share the Light Fund can help. We encourage our customers to look into it and see if they qualify,” said Stan Pinegar, president, Duke Energy Indiana

The Duke Energy Foundation provides nearly $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.

Duke Energy Indiana, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides about 6,800 megawatts of owned electric capacity to approximately 930,000 customers in a 23,000-square-mile service area, making it Indiana’s largest electric supplier.

Ascension offers baby safety tips

September is Baby Safety Month, a dedicated time to educate parents, caregivers, and families on simple, effective actions that prevent common childhood injuries. Everyday household items—from heavy furniture to window cords—can pose unexpected risks to infants and toddlers as they grow and begin exploring their surroundings.

Ascension St. Vincent provides parents with a practical, room-by-room safety guide designed for caregivers to inspect and baby-proof their homes.

Room-by-Room Baby Safety Checklist

1. Safe Sleep in the Nursery

• Follow the ABCs: Always place babies Alone, on their Back, in a Crib with a firm mattress and a fitted sheet.
• Keep cribs clear: Remove all loose blankets, pillows, bumper pads, and stuffed animals to prevent suffocation hazards.
• Check cord distance: Keep cribs and changing tables away from window blinds, curtains, and baby monitor cords. Keep all cords at least three feet out of reach.

2. Living Areas & Furniture

• Anchor heavy furniture: Wall-anchor TVs, dressers, bookshelves, and heavy cabinets to prevent tip-over accidents.
• Cover outlets: Use safety caps or sliding outlet covers on all exposed electrical outlets.
• Secure stairs: Install safety gates at both the top and bottom of all staircases. Use hardware-mounted gates at the top of stairs for maximum security.

3. Kitchen & Bathroom Precautions

• Lock up chemicals and medications: Store household cleaners, laundry pods, and prescription or over-the-counter medications in high, locked cabinets.
• Watch water temperature: Set home water heaters to 120°F (49°C) or lower to prevent accidental scalding during bath time.
• Prevent drowning risks: Never leave a child unattended in or near water, including bathtubs and water buckets, even for a moment.

4. Car Seat Safety

• Rear-facing is best: Keep infants in rear-facing car seats as long as possible, until they reach the maximum height or weight limit specified by the seat manufacturer.
• Check seat installation: Ensure the car seat harness is snug and the chest clip rests at armpit level.