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This month, we are highlighting what hope means to each of our team members and how it is reflected in the work they do. From stories of residents on the verge of losing their homes to families connected with our programs, each of our teams instills hope in the people they work with every day! 

At Tri County Community Action, we believe that hope is the driving force for all change. Without hope, individuals can't see the light at the end of the tunnel on their journey to self-sufficiency. All of our teams, in their own way, serve as that light, helping our clients see the path to success, using hope as the guide. 

Throughout this month, you will hear the stories of hope, messages from our leaders, and outcomes highlighting our impact on the community! Check out our campaign to see and hear some of these stories today! 

Hope in Housing Security

Vanessa Cruz, Director of Housing Security, witnesses the impact that her team has on those struggling with their utility bills, and the hope that they offer in times of need! In this interview, she shared some of her thoughts on instilling hope and the importance of creating a better community. All of the people at Tri County Community Action work to provide hope through their work. 

One story of hope comes from Robin Porter on our Housing Security Team! Robin received a call from Merideth, an elderly woman whose electricity had been shut off. If Robin had not acted fast, Merideth would have been at risk of a medical emergency due to not being able to charge her oxygen tank! 

Check out the story below to learn how Robin was able to help Merideth and give her hope when no one else could!

Advocating For Community Members

Autum Karper, Director of Employment, Education, and Financial Empowerment, knows just how important it is for our clients to have hope in dark times. Sometimes it can be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel; that is where our Self-Sufficiency Coordinators come in. They demonstrate how our clients can use community resources to develop their skills and become self-sufficient. 

One example of this is Carissa's work with Robert, an elderly man who was at risk of losing his home. She connected him to resources helping him pay for his utility bills, as well as getting legal assistance. While Robert was at first uneasy about working with Carissa, she soon showed him how much of a resource she could be.

Robert's story is not over yet. Check out the full article to learn how he encountered our agency, and what he is continuing to work on with Carissa. 

Connecting With Communities and Families

Jacquie Hultquist, Director of Early Childhood & Family Development, believes that when her team provides hope to the families in the community, it starts a cycle of positive change. Being able to see a 'spark' in the eyes of children and families alike shows us that we're able to create change and help families move out of poverty! 

Jasmine, a mother of two, joined us at a public Group Connection on the recommendation of a friend. That recommendation is what led Jasmine to enroll her family in our Parents as Teachers program. Now the family continues to grow with us, recognizing that there is hope for her children as they prepare for kindergarten. 

Please read the full story to learn about the chain reaction from one recommendation, which encouraged a family to set themselves up for success. 

Amplifying Neighborhood Voices

Krista Page, Director of Community Development, shared her thoughts on how hope brings communities together and helps us to create a better reality. Her team goes out in the community and has conversations on what actions we can take to improve the conditions of our neighborhoods in Harrisburg. 

One way that they have been able to do this is with the Community Advisory Council. This Council is comprised of community leaders who care about the people living in South Allison Hill and want to create change. Based on conversations with the community, the council has identified four areas to focus on: safety, crime, parking, and litter.

To learn about what the council has been doing to address its first goal, health and safety, read the article below!