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Amanda's Recipe for Success
Amanda’s name and some details have been changed for privacy.
Amanda’s family is one of 26 families in PEC’s temporary housing who accomplished moving to permanent housing during the pandemic using our case management and services. Like many of our families, it was a long journey from homelessness to stability.
This family lived at PEC for a year and a half. Amanda looked for opportunities to improve her family’s situation throughout that time. She actively engaged with the Center for Parenting, Children and Youth program. The staff provided early childhood assessments for her children, which led to a referral to early childhood development specialists to address developmental delays for both children. The specialists delivered a proper diagnosis and supportive services that can be provided in the home and in a childcare program or school. Amanda enrolled the youngest child in a school that accommodates her educational needs and offers occupational and behavioral therapies.
Amanda’s goals included completing her ServSafe® food safety certification in conjunction with a local culinary school, to complement her internship in the hospitality field where she hopes to make her career. She completed the certification and went on to obtain a job in the industry prior to the pandemic. Unfortunately, because of COVID-19, she became unemployed.
Amanda’s positive outlook is a key ingredient in her recipe for personal success. She focused on her housing goals despite this setback. When her family became eligible for a housing choice voucher, she pursued all housing options – which involved many in person appointments with landlords, lots of paperwork, and approval of the unit she chose by the housing authority – until she found one that was suitable for her family. PEC staff connected Amanda to assistance with her security deposit and furnishings to make her new home welcoming and cozy for her children. She moved in February and told our staff she plans to continue to pursue hospitality work as local restaurants begin to hire and operate steadily.
You can help families like Amanda's by supporting our work today. Thanks to a generous 1:1 $50,000 challenge match from The Wyss Foundation, a donation today will make twice the impact.
Amanda’s family is one of 26 families in PEC’s temporary housing who accomplished moving to permanent housing during the pandemic using our case management and services. Like many of our families, it was a long journey from homelessness to stability.
This family lived at PEC for a year and a half. Amanda looked for opportunities to improve her family’s situation throughout that time. She actively engaged with the Center for Parenting, Children and Youth program. The staff provided early childhood assessments for her children, which led to a referral to early childhood development specialists to address developmental delays for both children. The specialists delivered a proper diagnosis and supportive services that can be provided in the home and in a childcare program or school. Amanda enrolled the youngest child in a school that accommodates her educational needs and offers occupational and behavioral therapies.
Amanda’s goals included completing her ServSafe® food safety certification in conjunction with a local culinary school, to complement her internship in the hospitality field where she hopes to make her career. She completed the certification and went on to obtain a job in the industry prior to the pandemic. Unfortunately, because of COVID-19, she became unemployed.
Amanda’s positive outlook is a key ingredient in her recipe for personal success. She focused on her housing goals despite this setback. When her family became eligible for a housing choice voucher, she pursued all housing options – which involved many in person appointments with landlords, lots of paperwork, and approval of the unit she chose by the housing authority – until she found one that was suitable for her family. PEC staff connected Amanda to assistance with her security deposit and furnishings to make her new home welcoming and cozy for her children. She moved in February and told our staff she plans to continue to pursue hospitality work as local restaurants begin to hire and operate steadily.
You can help families like Amanda's by supporting our work today. Thanks to a generous 1:1 $50,000 challenge match from The Wyss Foundation, a donation today will make twice the impact.
Amy's Story: Surviving Domestic Violence
Amy’s name and some details have been changed for privacy and safety.
Amy was employed part-time, but still relied on cash assistance, food stamps, and other public benefits to support her family. She wanted to find a job that paid more so she could afford to leave her abusive partner but was denied support for childcare costs for her younger child. Limited childcare options made it very difficult to find gainful employment. Feeling out of options, Amy fled to the shelter system, so her family was safe until she found steady work.
The city referred her to PEC. Her PEC case manager helped Amy develop her own goals and a plan to become independent. She also helped Amy craft a safety plan in case her abuser located them. Amy found a job, but when her schedule allowed, she attended CPCY programs like Nurturing Parenting, offered by our affiliate Youth Service, Inc. (YSI). Amy was able to enroll her youngest child temporarily in YSI’s crisis nursery.
And then her fear became a reality – despite all the precautions, her abuser located and threatened her. “I remembered my safety plan,” Amy said. She and her case manager put it into action. They were able to move faster on the housing search, and her family moved to another location. PEC was able to assist by connecting her to a furniture donation program. When she said good-bye to staff, she added, “I learned so much. I don’t have to let someone hurt me. I can have a great job. My kids are excited and happy. We all have hope again.”
You can help families like Ria's by supporting our work today. Thanks to a generous 1:1 $50,000 challenge match from The Wyss Foundation, a donation today will make twice the impact.
Amy was employed part-time, but still relied on cash assistance, food stamps, and other public benefits to support her family. She wanted to find a job that paid more so she could afford to leave her abusive partner but was denied support for childcare costs for her younger child. Limited childcare options made it very difficult to find gainful employment. Feeling out of options, Amy fled to the shelter system, so her family was safe until she found steady work.
The city referred her to PEC. Her PEC case manager helped Amy develop her own goals and a plan to become independent. She also helped Amy craft a safety plan in case her abuser located them. Amy found a job, but when her schedule allowed, she attended CPCY programs like Nurturing Parenting, offered by our affiliate Youth Service, Inc. (YSI). Amy was able to enroll her youngest child temporarily in YSI’s crisis nursery.
And then her fear became a reality – despite all the precautions, her abuser located and threatened her. “I remembered my safety plan,” Amy said. She and her case manager put it into action. They were able to move faster on the housing search, and her family moved to another location. PEC was able to assist by connecting her to a furniture donation program. When she said good-bye to staff, she added, “I learned so much. I don’t have to let someone hurt me. I can have a great job. My kids are excited and happy. We all have hope again.”
You can help families like Ria's by supporting our work today. Thanks to a generous 1:1 $50,000 challenge match from The Wyss Foundation, a donation today will make twice the impact.