Success Stories

Getting a Head Start

Long before welfare reform began mandating training and employment, Jessica was trying to build a life for her family. Her husband had been out on disability for more than a year due to a work-related accident. Before the accident, Jessica had a bright future with a local accounting firm as an Administrative Assistant, but her husband's medical needs often interfered with her work schedule, causing her to lose the one job she thought would propel her into a full-fledged career.

The walls of Jessica's life seemed to be crumbling around her. Between her husband's needs and the lack of childcare for their three-year-old, it was becoming increasingly difficult to find steady work. When Jessica enrolled Mary into Head Start, she thought at least he childcare issue would be resolved. She discovered that it was the answer to more than Mary's needs.

Head Start provided Mary with early childhood education activities, but also assisted Jessica in identifying the skills, resources and assistance her family would need to get back on track. The Male Involvement component seemed to not only lift her husband's spirit about his slow rehabilitation, but also encouraged him to be more involved with Mary and their older son.

Head Start services included developing a Family Plan so that each family member created his or her own goals; interaction with other parents who shared similar interests and experiences; training on career development, health and nutrition and communication; and referral services.

When Mary was ready to enroll in kindergarten, Jessica's husband had enrolled in community college and was working toward an Associate Degree and Jessica had found a new job and new sense of hope. MRDC's program helped this family and many others to get a Head Start!

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Out of Hiding and into Housing

Nothing to call her own, no real constant, except that the next day will bring more uncertainty. These were Theresa's daily realities, until she came to MRDC for Housing counseling. Theresa was a member of the hidden homeless, those individuals and families that live with relatives, in various shelters, or in transitional housing. Theresa and her two children lived with three different relatives in a span of six months, causing her children to miss more than 45 days of school in one year.

After coming along with a friend applying for Section 8 housing, Theresa decided to see if MRDC could also help her. She applied, was put on the waiting list and received a voucher for Section 8 housing within a year. The counseling provided by MRDC not only assisted Theresa in locating an apartment, but also encouraged her to create long-term housing goals. After a year on her own, Theresa began seeking additional counseling on how to go about purchasing or renting her own home. She is now following a housing plan and intends to buy a home soon.