Jolene by her new home heater
Jolene lives in the foothills below the Sierra Nevada in Tuolumne County and has multiple sclerosis. Due to her medical condition, she has limited mobility, which combined with the chilling weather in the Sierra Nevada, makes the winter months difficult. Although Jolene has central heating, it is costly to operate, and as a low-income resident, she is eligible for free firewood in her community. As a result, Jolene used her inefficient open-hearth fireplace to heat her 40-year-old home.
In 2018, Jolene learned of the Woodsmoke Reduction Program from her social work case manager. Excited about the prospect of a new source of efficient and cost‑effective heating, she contacted the Tuolumne County Air Pollution Control District to apply for funding. Jolene was approved for a voucher covering the entire cost of a new wood stove and its installation.
Members of Jolene’s community were there every step of the way to help her receive the benefits of this program. Since Jolene no longer drives, staff from the Tuolumne Air District office hand-delivered the paperwork she needed to apply. After the stove was delivered, the installer installed it the very next day.
The new wood stove has helped Jolene’s medical condition and overall quality of life. With a more efficient wood stove, she does not need to bring in as much wood to heat her home. There are also fewer emissions being released into the neighborhood, which benefits both Jolene and her local community.