Break the Cycle of Poverty
Project Self-Sufficiency helps BREAK the cycle of poverty. Read some of the examples of our program participants and graduates who are moving beyond poverty to self-sufficiency. These parents are modeling successful behaviors for their children. As parents succeed, children learn by their example. Children develop high expectations for themselves and are set on a path toward becoming successful, economically independent adults. Learn More

Project Self-Sufficiency 25th Anniversary
Breakfast Raises Over $85,000
Event helps Organization Serve Low-income Single Parents
Breakfast Keynote Speaker Deborah Westcott with PS-S Advisor Michele Scheetz.

Fort Collins, CO, March 8, 2011– Over 375 community members enjoyed delicious food at The Drake Center and donated or made pledges exceeding $85,000 to Project Self-Sufficiency during their 25th Anniversary Community Breakfast.

A Project Self-Sufficiency graduate and participant described how PS-S helped them achieve financial independence and improve the lives of their children. Keynote speaker Deborah Westcott, local Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Leadership Coach, described her first-hand knowledge of Project Self-Sufficiency’s proven track record from her experiences teaching a self-esteem class to PS-S participants for over a decade.

Nancy Soward, Executive Director of the Women’s Independence Scholarship Program (WISP), introduced a video by WISP founder Doris Buffet congratulating PS-S on 25 years of service. Since 2003 WISP has awarded over $200,000 in scholarships to PS-S participants.  PS-S Executive Director Mary Carraher presented the Nancy Story Gunn award to Janene Dellenbach for her many contributions to the PS-S Board of Directors.

Thanks to the following breakfast sponsors:

Major Sponsor: Resurrection Fellowship

Invest in Success Sponsor: Bohemian Foundation

Event Sponsors: Advanced Energy, Bank of Colorado, Dellenbach Motors, Home State Bank and Poudre Valley Health System.
  
Associate Sponsors: Banner Health/McKee Medical Center, Chrisland Inc., Colorado Financial Management, Hilton Fort Collins, The Mantooth Company, Steve Ray Law, and Wolfe, Van Ackern & Cuypers Law.

In-kind Sponsors: Alpha One, the Drake Center, Fort Collins Nursery and  Fort Collins Video.

Single Parent Success Story: Melinda

While in PS-S, Melinda's career exploration with her advisor led her to a career in computers and software. She completed a Network Support Certificate program and an Associate Degree in Computer Information Systems at Front Range Community College. After graduation from PS-S, Melinda continued her education and completed a Project Manager Certificate program and began coursework for a Bachelors degree in Global Studies.

Melinda chose this field of study because she was discontent with the level of responsibility and pay of the clerical jobs she was qualified to do.  Her PS-S advisor suggested a Career Placement test. Because Melinda had an aptitude for learning software applications and was interested in computers, she decided to take a few classes to see if it was a good fit.

Shortly after college graduation, Melinda found a job in Technical Support.  She was later promoted into a role creating content for the support website. In 2003, Melinda relocated to the Seattle area where she held several different positions with increasing responsibility at the same company.

Now, Melinda works as a Project Manager at a Fortune 100 company. One of the things Melinda likes best about her job is that she is challenged daily. She enjoys that her position entails a lot of analysis and finding creative solutions to problems. She also likes that her opinion is heard and respected. Lastly, the salary and benefits allows her to live comfortably.

Melinda commented, “PS-S helped me with career planning, parenting classes, car repairs, self-esteem and connected me with many services in the community. The biggest benefit PS-S provided was the care and support I received from my advisor.”

Her boys are now 17 and 20 years old. Both have jobs and enjoy fixing cars and playing online computer games.



December 23rd, 2010
The Fort Collins Coloradoan posted a news story on page one about Project Self-Sufficiency’s search for Mission Sponsors. In an effort to fill a $200,000 funding gap, PS-S is looking for twenty donors at the $10,000 Mission Sponsorship level. Donations of any size are much appreciated. Learn More

Project Self-Sufficiency Awarded Funds from Pathways Past Poverty
Pathways Past Poverty provided money to prominent agencies in 2009 in an effort to showcase best practices for helping move people from poverty to self-sufficiency. Pathways Past Poverty, an initiative of the United Way of Larimer County, provided $35,000 for The Matthews House and $50,000 to Project Self-Sufficiency. LEARN MORE

Project Self-Sufficiency's Director Honored for
Social Work
For her unwavering commitment to single parents in need, Project Self-Sufficiency’s Mary Carraher was presented with the Hawkins Social Work Achievement Award by the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work. LEARN MORE