Family Self-Sufficiency

Success Stories

Teresa’s story

“Before I became a Voucher holder, I had no idea that HAJC had so many wonderful programs to help people in need get a helping hand up! So, when I learned about the Family Self Sufficiency program, I was so excited.

At the time, I was laid off from my last full-time job and had opted to work part-time so I could help raise my 3-month-old granddaughter. I also took the opportunity to attend Rogue Community College to finish the AA degree I started back in 1992! With the support and advice of my FSS coaches, I not only finished my AA in Business Technology, I graduated with honors!

When the time came to return to full-time work, I realized I’d been absent from the administrative field for the last 5 years and it had been 5 years since I had had a full-time job! I knew I had a challenge ahead.

To accomplish my goal of getting back into the full-time workforce, it took me 5 months of applying to 25 different positions, and 11 interviews. Every time my caseworker Tia would ask me if I wanted to come in to practice mock interviews, I would. Not so much because I wanted to, but because I knew it would be sheer madness to pass up such valuable help when it was taking me so long to find a full-time administrative position. After all the effort, I landed where I will finish off my career, as a full-time administrative assistant at Blue Dog RV.

The FSS program also helped me to prioritize my spending. During the program, I was able to pay down 3 of my 6 credit cards and am on track to pay off the remainder very soon.

During the 6 years I participated I had 4 different FSS coaches. However, it really was my last coach, Tia, who pushed me the hardest in the most loving way.

I know that I could not have accomplished these huge feats had It not been for the FSS program and all of my very engaged coaches.”

Teresa graduated and was awarded a total escrow check amount of $1570.21.

Success Stories

Kelly’s story

Kelly navigated the path to sobriety and success with the support of many of our community partners. During her addiction, Kelly had her vehicle towed, she got in trouble with law, spent time homeless, she was tired and defeated.

Kelly’s journey to sobriety started with a women’s outpatient treatment program. She attended a group for victims of domestic violence, and received guidance from her probation officer. Working with the Maslow Project, she was able to get housing assistance through Access. When her rental assistance ran out, her Housing Choice Voucher came through.

Kelly’s counselor and probation officer encouraged her to enroll at RCC. She took part in the TRIO program, and received her associates in Human Service. She enrolled in the FSS program, where she learned to set goals towards her financial independence. Kelly enrolled in the Oregon IDA program through DevNW to save for an asset. After RCC, she transferred to SOU where she received her bachelor’s degree in Social Science.

Kelly purchased a new car and a years’ worth of vehicle insurance with her Oregon IDA and currently volunteers in the Addition Recovery field. She’s transitioned to full time to work as a DV advocate and Group Facilitator of a trauma recovery group and is loving her new career.

Kelly used the support of her community, the Housing Choice Voucher and the FSS program to rewrite her story.

We are so proud of Kelly and have enjoyed working with her! We can’t wait to see where she goes next!

Success Stories

Carrie’s story

I started the FSS program when I got a section 8 voucher for housing assistance. I am a recovering addict with 5 years clean now. During my addiction I had gotten my nursing license revoked. I needed to do drug and alcohol treatment and a nursing re-entry program to get it back. I was also in a great amount of debt which was affecting my credit score along with my paychecks getting garnished.

The main thing the FSS program helped with besides accruing money in a savings account was to identify short term and long-term goals that I could accomplish in a 5 yr. period. My case manager and I would meet every few months to evaluate my progress and readjust my goals accordingly. My case manager would keep in contact with me about different resources such as discount childcare or other financial/educational resources.

The section 8 voucher helped me by adjusting my rent payment to my income so I didn’t have to worry if my circumstances changed. Both of these programs added security to my life to be able to reach some major goals including:

1. Bankruptcy – I made a goal with my case manager to get this done and had enough money even though I was low income by having a section 8 voucher so my rent went down and I could save towards this goal.
2. I was able to work part time during different periods for me to take classes to get my career started again and then again to do the necessary clinical hours. I would not have been able to afford this for a long time if my rent due hadn’t been getting adjusted.
3. I did a savings account credit loan through Community Lending Works to help me get my credit score better after my bankruptcy. This acted as a secured loan so I was able to have some payment history to help boost my credit score when I couldn’t qualify to get a credit card, etc.
4. The money that I have from the FSS program now that I am graduated is going to help me with my next goal of buying a house.

I wouldn’t be where I’m at financially or career wise without this program and the case management that helped me stay on track and be organized. I highly suggest anyone who has the opportunity of being in this program choose to participate.

Success Stories

Crystal’s story

Hello My name is Crystal and I am a graduate of the Family Self Sufficiency Program. My husband Michael and I signed up for the program after being referred by our case managers at Rogue Retreat! Upon signing up for the program we were asked to set goals for ourselves. These were goals that we specifically chose and were now being held accountable to reach which is exactly the kind of motivation we needed to be successful in the program! My husband set goals for himself to get stable in his employment and is now an assistant manager at his work and is continuing to increase his knowledge of the job and move up to eventually have his own store.

I also set a goal of getting my dream job which I too was able to achieve! Today I get to help Moms that experienced the same trials and tribulations that I faced and help them get through it which is a blessing in itself! Being a part of FSS gave my husband and I the opportunity to grow in so many aspects of our lives. With the money we saved as being a part of the program we were able to become completely debt free and are building our credit now so that we can buy a home for our beautiful family.

Any advice I would pass along to someone thinking about joining this program would be “DO IT” there was no downfall what so ever for my family and I. We learned how to believe in ourselves and also to keep pushing through and setting and reaching goals for ourselves! Thank you to everyone who is a part of the program and makes it possible or families like mine to benefit from it!