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.
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