Nicole’s Story: The Power of Education

Nicole’s rent was high. Everything was expensive; things were tight.

She used the Interfaith Outreach Food Shelf, special programs to provide school supplies and holiday gifts for her children, and occasionally, financial help to pay the rent. Interfaith Family Support staff helped her think about bigger changes and opportunities to increase her stability. But a car accident, the high cost of child care, and other circumstances derailed her progress.

Nicole got into Project Success – our rigorous, two-year transitional housing and career development program – with the goal of pursuing a college degree and a career in education. She says that once she had stable housing, a support network and a plan, her hope for a better future grew.

Today, Nicole has a master’s degree in educational leadership and works as a student services coordinator. “I love my work,” she says. “I’m passionate about the power of education because I know the difference it has made for me and is also making for my daughter,” who received child care assistance and youth enrichment program access through IOCP’s services, she shared.

Nicole tells us, “If I had the opportunity to talk with someone in the position I once found myself in, I would say to them, ‘Know that your current situation is not your final destination…Look for positive community connections and build a support system. Work really hard, and be patient, because it happened. It’s happening right now.’”