Hillcrest Transitional Housing is boasting about the success of its recent program graduates work in becoming self-sufficient.
Hillcrest focuses on the growth of individuals, reunification of families and ending generational poverty. In 2015, residents at Hillcrest paid off nearly $70,000 in debt and saved an astounding $10,095.60. Hillcrest graduated 22 adults and 33 children to self-sufficiency in 2015. In 2016, Hillcrest has already successfully graduated five adults and six children into self-sufficiency. So far in 2016 residents have paid off $6,015 in back debt and saved a total of $4,345.
“I am so proud of these residents,” said Shannen White, Affiliate Director of Hillcrest Transitional Housing of Buchanan County. “They have gone through difficult life changes and the end result is amazing. They have all regained self-sufficiency and continue to thrive and give back to our community.”
Tierra Nunn has overcome several barriers while in the program at Hillcrest. As a single mother of four, Tierra has struggled with a lack of transportation to get her son, who was born premature, to his doctor’s appointments. She managed to make it to her appointments with the help of her friends and her apartment sponsors at Frederick Boulevard Baptist Church.
“It is indescribable the help that I have gotten from everyone at Hillcrest,” Nunn said. “Not only physically and financially, but emotionally as well. The support is overwhelming.”
Hillcrest provides a disciplined 90-day program for homeless families and individuals seeking self-sufficiency in the St. Joseph community. Each resident has their own unique situation and barriers to overcome during the transition. Some are furthering their education and working while providing a stable environment for their children. Others have changed jobs to bring in money to pay off back debt that keep them from getting their own place they call home. Some residents have fallen on hard times or made poor financial decisions that have kept them down. White said all the families at Hillcrest have a common goal when they come through the doors of Hillcrest and that is to turn their lives around and make tremendous progress towards the future.