Impact Stories
The stories of our participants, business and community members are a the true testament of our work.
Supporting Families
Empowering Families to Turn Dreams Into Reality
Christina had goals for herself and her child—she just needed the resources and support to succeed. Christina struggled as a teenager and young adult as she grew up in foster care. She came to ACHIEVEability at 19 with her 2-year-old daughter Ari’elle, after they had spent more than a year in shelter.
By the time she joined the Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSSP)—ACHIEVEability’s transformational program that helps single parent families overcome social and economic barriers to thrive—Christina had a plan.
Providing Educational Support
At ACHIEVEability, Toni knows “There are people here that Care. They want you to succeed.
Toni’s story is similar to that of many single parents ACHIEVEability serves. At 19, Toni made an incredibly brave decision to flee an abusive relationship with her three-year-old son and ended up in shelter. “I was trying to get out of a really bad situation,” Toni said. “I didn’t care what I was going to do, I just knew I wasn’t going back.” She was a hard worker, and had a job working as a waitress in Germantown, but she felt stuck. The commute from her shelter to work took hours out of her day. She didn’t know how to get out of the shelter system and wondered what steps she could take to better life for her and her son. “I was stagnant,” she says about that time in her life, “I didn’t know what I could do.” Then she found ACHIEVEability.
Helping Communities
Feeling Safe During COVID-19
While everyone has been affected by the pandemic, those that ACHIEVEability serves are among the hardest hit. Our community has a high need and we are more committed than ever to provide services and link families to resources that will see them safely through this crisis. BUT, we need your help.
Armoni has been a participant in ACHIEVEability’s Family Self-Sufficiency Program for three years.
Full Wrap Around Supports
Stability, Hope and Guidance to Change a Family’s Life
In April 2017, Shawanda and her four children found a home with ACHIEVEability. In the ten years prior to that, she and her family moved frequently. An abusive partner and alcohol addiction made it difficult to maintain a home or a job. At just 28 years old, Shawanda found herself homeless, unemployed and in need of a change.
"I needed help. My children and I deserved so much more. I had so many plans for my life," shared Shawanda.
BUSINESS IMPACT
Giving Hope When All Hope Was Lost
Belinda Otusanya, known as “Lady B” to her customers, has operated African Expressions since 1996, selling custom and off the rack Nigerian and West African clothing. For the past 12 years, African Expressions has been located at 145 S. 60th Street in West Philadelphia.
A big part of African Expressions’ business comes from large events like weddings. But this year, because of the pandemic, Belinda lost all of that critical business.
WorkSmart West Philly at Work
Supporting a New Chapter
Julia, a 29-year-old single parent, lost her Receptionist position from a medical practice job after Thanksgiving 2018 and just weeks before Christmas. Julia was feeling the pressure to find replacement work and visited ACHIEVEability’s computer lab in need of assistance. She began working with WSWP’s Workforce Development Coordinator to develop her resume and cover letter. The Coordinator helped her navigate through online applications and complete submissions, as well as help her prepare for interviews. While job searching, the Coordinator helped Julia apply for unemployment and get connected to benefits to help her through this time without income. Through diligence and perseverance, Julia received a job offer for a Patient Service Representative position at a West Philadelphia community health center.
ACHIEVEability Connects to your future
Individual Development Account (IDA) Program Success
Felicia connected with ACHIEVEability to learn more about the program. She was nervous about being able to attend the workshops and saving the amount needed, but ACHIEVEability was able to help her stay on track along the way. “One thing I knew is that I wanted to give my family a home we could call our own. I boggled down, started saving and took the required classes, all while studying for my master’s degree.”