Many thanks to everyone from the community who came out to celebrate our October Getting Ahead graduates: Heidi Goss, Olha Havryliuk, Meter Casseus, William Harvey McLarty, April Hunt, Elise Byers, Tammy Rayley, Tracey Barnett, Brenda Stevens and Jeanette Barbour. Our GA facilitator is Ruth Wilson and her co-facilitators this session were Carl Blakeley & Michele Pollard-Coons, all GA grads themselves!

These family leaders put in many hours of hard work investigating poverty in our community and in their own lives. We had such a blast celebrating this amazing accomplishment with them! It’s so exciting to see them as they take their first steps into a more stable, prosperous life for their families! WAY TO GO!

During the 19-session Getting Ahead program, participants 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. 

GA graduates are also eligible for seven sessions of free professional life coaching to help them achieve the goals they set for themselves. Our innovative Emergency Savings Incentive Program allows graduates to earn a $500 emergency savings account as they build skills needed for success.

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 life coaching and earn $500 deposited into a bank account through our Emergency Savings Incentive Plan (ESIP). Call Ruth Wilson at 704-875-7887 with any questions. 

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