Ebony and her children have progressed from Phase 1 of the New Life Plan to Phase 5 of the 6-phase program. They started with medical, mental health and educational assessments, and Ebony participated in vocational training at the Thrift Store. They received counseling and small group support, and Ebony worked with her designated Client Support Specialist to develop a long term plan for stability. After completing the “Jobs for Life” course in preparation for sustainable employment, Ebony went back to work in the field she loves, as a private duty caregiver for Aware Senior Care. She studied for her driver’s license, met with a financial coach, and started saving her money for a car and an apartment.
The pandemic caused some of the forward movement to come to a screeching halt: she wasn’t able to take the driving part of her exam so couldn’t receive a license, and she and the children had to move to a hotel room for awhile when one of the kids was exposed to COVID-19. Still, Ebony persevered and waited patiently while saving her money.
What’s next? Phase 6 of the New Life Plan. “Homeownership”, says Ebony. “I want that for my kids. I’ve seen God work wonders. I never had a driver’s license before. I never had my own car. We’ve moved into an apartment that is peaceful and safe. My children are happy.“