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Break the Cycle of Poverty
Project Self-Sufficiency helps BREAK the cycle of poverty. Below are examples of 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.

CADDIE

After completing her Associate Degree in May of 2009 while in PS-S, Caddie transferred to UNC where she's pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in Molecular Biology. Caddie is particularly interested in genetics and stem cell technology and has a goal of becoming a professional in a hospital or private laboratory. Caddie worked closely with her PS-S advisor to find a career path that would capitalize on her aptitude for life sciences and her excellent retention and written communication skills.

Caddie completed a coveted internship at UNC and is now a teacher’s aide for a Human Anatomy Lab. She will graduate in December and is already networking to land a position in her field.

Epitomizing the PS-S mission to provide a hand up, not a hand out, Caddie has secured many resources on her own including several renewable scholarships, work study positions, and a positive support system. She has benefited from affordable housing made available through PS-S as well as a donated car to travel to Greeley, thus reducing her monthly financial burdens.

Caddie is the proud mother of two sons who are in elementary school. She volunteers at her sons' school two days a week, helping out in the classroom and in the library. All three are working toward black belts in Tae Kwon Do. The boys have received funding toward Tae Kwon Do lessons through the PS-S Boundless Children’s Fund. The lessons have improved their coordination and self-esteem.

Caddie’s 11-year-old son is already talking about going to MIT. He wants to reach for the stars!

SYLVIA

Sylvia began her journey with PS-S in 2006. She was employed by the food service company that handles the cafeteria at Woodward Governor. PS-S was represented there at an annual United Way fair, where employees get information on different UW organizations. She stopped by our table, picked up some brochures and read up on the organization. Realizing that she would be a good fit, she applied, attended an orientation, interviewed, and was matched with an advisor. She additionally took steps to procure housing through the Housing Authority of the City of Loveland for herself and her one year old daughter.

Sylvia wanted to become an addictions counselor, but after career exploration she decided she was better suited for a career in business. She began classes part-time at Aims Community College in 2008 while continuing full-time employment. Sylvia is now a full-time student year round while also working part time. She was recently accepted into the TRIO program at Aims. TRIO provides financial and academic support for students who are first from their family to attend college, come from low-income households, or those with a disability. Sylvia will obtain her AA degree from Aims at the end of the fall semester, continue at CSU in the spring and plans to have her Bachelor’s Degree in Business management by the end of 2013.

Sylvia’s daughter Marisol will start first grade in Loveland this year. She attends cheer training through the help of the Boundless Children’s Fund. Although Sylvia struggled through some rough times at a younger age, her family now plays a very big role in her life and she enjoys spending time with them very much. They have been a good support system for her. She especially looks up to her mother as a positive influence. Her motherworked multiple jobs while raising a family.

Sylvia has been working with her advisor Stephanie for the past four years and they have built a mutual relationship of trust, respect and admiration.

She says,“Stephanie is awesome; understanding and caring. She gives good, honest advice and finds answers to questions when she doesn’t know them.”

Stephanie says, “Sylvia has been fearless and fierce in her movement forward and will be a true asset to any company that is lucky enough to snag her for their team.”

Since her enrollment in PS-S, Sylvia has secured housing at Willow Place, received a car and car repairs through the PS-S Cars for Families Program, has been awarded multiple PS-S and partner scholarships, has been matched with holiday sponsors, benefited from the Cool Kids Back-to-School clothing and the Boundless Children’s Fund programs, and worked with PS-S computer repair volunteers and academic tutors. Sylvia believes that without PS-S she would not have returned to school and probably would not have earned her GED. She says PS-S has given her “confidence and guidance”.

Sylvia’s dream is to open a clothing store someday. She has some very positive mentors, including Carol Brungardt, Group Director of Human Resources at Woodward Governor, who she says inspires her.

Sylvia is truly grateful for all of her opportunities, takes nothing for granted, and is always conscientious about expressing her gratitude to those around her. She has volunteered over 20 hours helping another participant build her Habitat home. Sylvia is humble, yet strong and independent. She is a shining example of what PS-S is all about. Her fans know she’ll go far…very far!

THERESA

Theresa is now employed with Habitat for Humanity after graduating from CSU and PS-S. Her daughters Alyssa and Mollee grew up in the program. Alyssa says, “I don’t know what would have happened without PS-S. I honestly don’t. My religious beliefs and the faith of my mother tell me that it would have worked out somehow, but I know that without PS-S, things would have been that much harder.”

Alyssa is thankful for the children’s programs she participated in through PS-S. In particular, knowing that people shopped for Christmas presents specifically for her has always made her feel special – not awkward.

Alyssa just completed a five month semester-abroad program in Guatemala and will graduate from college in California in May of 2012. She is currently applying to graduate programs with plans to pursue a master's degree in social work.

Theresa’s younger daughter Mollee is happily married and recently returned to Loveland from Arizona where her husband attended and graduated from Universal Technical Institute. Both have new jobs and are excited to be back home with friends and family.

To further exemplify how PS-S helps break the cycle of poverty, below is a selection of answers to the 2010 Participant Survey question: “What positive changes have you and your family experienced since participating in PS-S?”

• My drive to stand up for myself and feel confident about going somewhere in life for my son and me. I refuse to let my son grow up low-income and unhappy like I was raised! I’m in school too. I’m so driven to succeed!
• In every aspect of our lives, from improved health to better family dynamics to less financial stress.
• Watching the transformations that I make affect my children.
• I think the whole program has allowed me to follow my dreams, which in turn has set a great example for my children and has given us the opportunity to better our lives.
• My family is more stable and confident.
• My daughter’s and my relationship has become much better because I have learned many parenting skills that have helped and actually worked!
• Talking with my girls instead of talking to them. I’m confident thanks to the self-esteem class offered.
• My boys are my biggest cheerleaders while in school, and because of PS-S and their devotion to my family, I get to finish school and set a positive example of education. I am not just giving myself an education but rather a future of education for the boys. My guess is that without this example, they may never understand how to get out of poverty.