At 29 years old, Heidi Goss is among the youngest participants in our Getting Ahead program. But this dog groomer and single Mom has an “abundance of strength and determination,” Ruth Wilson, GA facilitator said. 

Her completion of GA was especially significant because Heidi has a young daughter with autism who is nonverbal and requires extensive therapies and care. 

“Not only did Heidi make it through the sessions, she grew so much,” Ruth said. “She started off a bit timid but as the sessions went on she wowed us all. If I had to think of one word to describe Heidi it would be strength.”  

Heidi heard about GA while attending one of our evening food pantries and said what she learned has changed her life. 

“Everything is finally falling into place,” she said. “I was living paycheck to paycheck but I’m finding now that I have more leftover every month. And not just money – Getting Ahead actually helped me realize I have time. I just wasn’t managing things in the right way.”

During the 19-session Getting Ahead program, participants like Heidi 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. 

Through GA I realized that in adulthood everyone is winging it. We’re all just doing the best we can,” she said. “I learned about so many new resources I didn’t even know existed and it was amazing to meet others who are struggling just like me even though we’re different ages. It was kinda cool to see those common denominators.”  

Heidi has already signed up for the ESIP program and is excited about volunteering in our community.  

“Something’s gotta change and I need to be the change,” she said. “You can’t just sit back and wait for something to change. I’m excited to see what the future holds and how I can better myself and the world around me, especially for my daughter.”

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 a $500 emergency savings deposit 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 meal donations, email EmpowermentOutreach@CommonHeart.org. Speakers are also needed to share expertise during monthly resource meetings.