When Courtney Shannon first heard about Common Heart and our Getting Ahead program she was in ‘survival mode.’ Single mom to a teenager, she lost her car and then, eventually, her job because she couldn’t get there. She struggled to find a job within walking distance and rent was overdue, and the weight of her past and present hardships felt overwhelming.

Our friends at Crisis Assistance Ministries of Union County told her about Getting Ahead when she went there seeking help with rent. Courtney says she’s so glad they did! She was one of 11 Getting Ahead graduates we celebrated last month. 

“Before Getting Ahead I was in ‘survival mode’ but now I’m rebuilding and trying to make the life that I want for myself and my daughter,” she said. “I didn’t realize how much my younger self was affecting my current life. I had that poverty mindset — that fear that holds you back from expanding your horizons. I felt left out because of where I was from.”

During the 19-session Getting Ahead program, participants like Courtney discuss 11 resources that we each need to thrive: financial, emotional, mental/cognitive, language, social capital, physical, spiritual, integrity & trust, motivation & persistence, relationships/role models, and knowledge of hidden rules. Poverty isn’t just about money, but it is often the first thing people think of when talking about instability. 

Our Getting Ahead graduates have access to continuous growth through free success coaching and a $500 Emergency Savings Incentive Plan. Courtney has already hit the ground running by enrolling in the savings program. As she works toward the goals she set for herself, she is simultaneously earning her $500 incentive and strengthening the skills vital for her success.

Courtney’s early life was marked by instability. She spent time in group homes, and at 15, she found herself living on her own after being kicked out by her mother. Basic needs like nutritious food and clothing were a constant struggle, and by age 17, she was a mother herself. Despite these challenges, she made a conscious choice to break the cycle of poverty for her daughter and moved from New York to North Carolina in 2022. 

Her journey toward rebuilding began when she joined the Getting Ahead program. Courtney discovered not only practical resources like our food pantries but also the power of social community support and self-awareness.

“It opened doors I didn’t even know existed,” she says. “I started volunteering, building friendships, and learning that my emotions actually affect me in adulthood. I’m not just surviving anymore.”

Today, Courtney maintains a strong network of friends from the program — women who, like her, want to live life fully and give back to their communities.

Her goals are clear: to work with youth, serve as a motivational speaker, and transform her pain into power. 

“Change is scary,” Courtney says. “But if you try, at least you can say you tried. And that effort is worth it.”

If you think you would benefit from Getting Ahead, apply online at Getting Ahead – Common Heart. Participants receive a $35 Wal-Mart gift card plus free dinner and free childcare (if needed) for every session they attend. Graduates have the opportunity to receive free success coaching and earn $500 through our Emergency Savings Incentive Plan (ESIP). Call Ruth Wilson at 704-875-7887 or email GA@CommonHeart.org with any questions. 

If you would like to help support the GA program with meal donations, call Grace Lotharp at 704-684-9007 or email EmpowermentOutreach@CommonHeart.org. Speakers are also needed to share expertise during monthly resource meetings.