When struggles pay off

Mary A. Castillo

The achievements of 31 low-income single mothers will be honored at

Project Self-Sufficiency’s 17th annual recognition program on Tuesday.

During the program $47,000 will be given away in scholarships raised

by the Project Self-Sufficiency Foundation.

“Each year it gets bigger than the year before,” said Greg Arbues, who

chairs the Project Self-Sufficiency Foundation. “Every single parent who

applies gets some kind of award.”

The program began in 1985 and Huntington Beach was one of the cities

selected across the nation to receive federal funding. While most of the

nation’s Project Self-Sufficiency programs fell away as funds ran out,

Huntington Beach’s program continued due to the grass-roots efforts of

concerned citizens, said Arbues.

The Foundation not only raises money, but also organizes clothing and

school supply drives as well as summer activities for the children. It

helps the project remove the barriers that get in the way of a single

parent pursuing an education while raising a family, said Arbues.

However, the participants must remain focused on their goals to remain

in the program.

“Project Self-Sufficiency isn’t a hand out,” Arbues said. “The

participants have to have a plan that will lead them to

self-sufficiency.”

An overwhelming majority of parents who enroll in the program are

mothers, said Susan Edward the case manager of the project.

“There is no typical story,” she said.

Some of the women have one child, others three or more. Some are young

moms and others are in their 40’s. It is also not unusual for some of the

mothers to be pulled away from their studies for custody battles or

housing foul-ups. However they all share one thing in common: a goal that

will lead to financial independence.

One of the honorees recently moved into the Project Self-Sufficiency

apartment house with her young son. The help she receives -- day care, a

secure home and monthly support meetings -- helps her work and attend

classes at Golden West College. She hopes to enroll in the nursing

program next semester.

“Some of the parents start with small goals like housing or a better

job,” said Edwards. “But when they start to see the other women, their

goals get more ambitious.”

The event will take place from 5 to 7 p.m., June 18 at St. Winifrid’s

Chruch, 18631 Chapel Lane. The event will air on HBTV-3 during July and

August.