Community outreach is a critical part of our work to power the region. Through Atlantic City Electric’s partnership with South Jersey Gas, residents across southern New Jersey are gaining access to energy assistance and vital resources like the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Universal Service Fund (USF), and budget billing. At the heart of this collaboration are two dedicated outreach professionals – Dorann Brown of Atlantic City Electric and Christina Teel of South Jersey Gas – whose partnership brings real help to real people.
In 2024 alone, they attended more than 80 in-person events together, including pop-ups, neighborhood gatherings, and resource fairs. At each event, they met customers face-to-face, helping them manage rising energy costs and usage.
We spoke with Dorann and Christina to learn more about their work and the impact it’s having across the region.
Q: Why is this partnership so important to customers?
Christina (CT): If someone is struggling with one utility bill, they’re likely struggling with the other, so it makes sense to team up. We know each other’s strengths and lean into them. I’ll come to Dorann with a big idea and ask, “Can we pull this off?” and her answer is always yes.
Dorann Brown (DB): Christina’s pop-up series, which started three years ago, eliminates barriers for customers, like transportation challenges or difficulties reading and writing. Lately, it’s been especially important to help customers navigate recent bill changes. Being there in person lets us guide them through these changes and put a face to the name on their statement.
Q: What other barriers are you’re seeing in that impact community members?
CT: Many seniors, especially minority seniors, lack access to technology or smartphones, making it harder to do their own research or understand their bills. It’s up to us to ensure they have the help they need.
DB: Only one in five eligible households in New Jersey are enrolled in the available energy assistance programs. That’s why being visible and appearing at events and resource fairs makes such a difference.
Q: How do you build trust with customers during these events?
DB: It’s about being real. We’re not just there representing our companies — we’re part of these communities. Christina and I are both moms, we’ve had struggles of our own, and we approach every interaction with empathy. When people see that we’re genuinely here to help, it builds trust.
Q: What keeps you motivated to continue this work?
CT: We know that, without our help, many would have nowhere else to go. We’re often the only ones doing this kind of in-person energy outreach in our region. We answer our work phones after hours and we’re always here to assist because people rely on this support as a lifeline.
Q: What do you want people to know about energy assistance programs?
DB: That they exist, and they’re here to help you! A lot of people assume they won’t qualify, but income limits are higher than many realize. If you’re eligible, that assistance is there for you and your family.
To learn more about South Jersey Gas’s assistance programs, click here. To get help with Atlantic City Electric bills, visit atlanticcityelectric.com/BillSupport.