Family Self-Sufficiency Program: Housing, Education & Employment for Long-Term Success
The Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSSP) is ACHIEVEability’s signature and longest-running program. By providing affordable housing and coaching, we support families in breaking the generational cycle of poverty through education. ACHIEVEability connects families to living-wage employment, post-secondary education and permanent housing to help them move towards economic stability and mobility.
How It Works
Using housing as a foundation, FSSP leverages coaching and education to promote the long-term success of families.
Our Impact
The Family Self-Sufficiency Program goals are to:
Increase the number of parents who have post-secondary degrees or professional credentials
Increase the number of families employed with living-wages and benefits
Help parents advance their careers and build financial assets
See our impact from our last year:
124 families and 282 children provided coaching and a home
9 parents earned credentials
5 Bachelor's
3 Associate’s
1 HS diploma
91% moved into permanent housing
50% increased their income
100% of school-age children persisted in school
ACHIEVE the Dream Scholarship
As of 2021, thanks to a generous donor, ACHIEVEability is able to provide up financial support up to $5,000 to qualifying FSSP participants and household members who are pursuing post-secondary education.
Funds can be used for:
Tuition
Books
Living expenses while completing clinical/internship
College tuition costs for children to avoid taking loans
Lab fees
We’re proud to make post-secondary education more accessible for our FSSP families.
Success Stories
“The coaches really cared. You can tell when someone wants what’s best for you, truly.”
Christina, FSSP Participant
May 2020: Bachelor's of Science in Nursing, Gwynedd Mercy University
Smoothie Demo with Shakira and Savannah
Shakira joined ACHIEVEability’s Family Self-Sufficiency Program with her daughter Savannah in 2017. Shakira is currently in community health classes at CCP and is on her way to becoming a licensed nurse. As many of you know, raising children during a pandemic is no small feat. Together, Shakira and Savannah found new ways to bond and add fun to their days - like making smoothies!
Fitness with Kenisha
Check out Kenisha's story of working with ACHIEVEability's Family Self-Sufficiency and AMP! mentoring program. She talks about resiliency through the COVID-19 pandemic and her inspiration to start her fitness journey.
Application and Eligibility
Are you interested in applying to our Family Self-Sufficiency Program? Know someone would benefit from this program? Individuals that are eligible for FSSP must meet the following criteria:
Living in a temporary/emergency resident; currently residing in an unsafe, unstable or inappropriate housing environment; or paying over 50% of your household income towards rent
Single parent that is at least 18 years old and has one child 17 or younger who is eligible to live with you
Monthly income of at least $1,500
Must have a high school diploma or 2 parts of the GED completed
Sober for at least 6 months (if you have a substance abuse history)
Interested in the Family Self-Sufficiency Program?
Contact us at (215) 748-8800 to talk to one of our team members, or complete the form below and we will contact you about the program.
