Pernell Bailey carefully unlocked his second-level apartment door.
Inside, he proudly and exuberantly opened each cabinet door in his favorite room of his apartment, his kitchen.
After revealing his cabinets fully stocked with food and recently donated dished, he showed off the remaining rooms and discussed his decorating plans. It’s been almost three weeks, but after moving in his couch and table, he’s planning all of the finishing touches.
At 67 years old, and for the first time in his entire life, he has his very own home.Read More...
Three months ago, Nailey was leasing a home with a few of his friends when a death and expenses forced him to move out. For months he didn’t have running water and he thought his only option was to try living in a hotel until his money ran out. Fortunately for him the Kosciusko Community Senior Services staff offered the help he needed and assisted him to find his home at Retired Tigers.
“They all took care of me really good,” Bailey said of the KCSS staff. “These people are great, I love them like brothers and sisters.”
KCSS worked as a team to help Bailey’s situation. Bailey even spent three days with KCSS transportation supervisor Bill Keen. Office Manager Carol Kreis also assisted Bailey with all the Social Security and other necessary paperwork for his new home.
“The next day, I was in the office signing papers, and in the apartment from then on,” Bailey said. “I love it.”
KCSS Executive Director David Neff said when he was helping Bailey move all of his belongings into his new home. Bailey continuously asked where he was allowed to put everything.
“I kept saying. ‘Parnell, this is your place, you can put it wherever you want,” Neff said.
Neff said KCSS works with Retired Tigers and both facilities sponsor events. He said their objective is to keep people in their homes as long as possible. He said they work very closely with Retired Tigers and all of the other nursing homes in town. At KCSS, they