For Sarah Ann Carter, Getting Ahead was the boost she didn’t know she needed. 

This single mom of two young boys – one who has autism – is a domestic violence survivor. She said until this empowerment group, she didn’t know just how low her self-esteem was. It was affecting everything in her life – finances, relationships, and more. That’s starting to change now. 

Sarah is an assistant at Union County’s Wolfe School and will soon begin taking classes to earn an associate’s degree. Her goal? Become a certified teacher for students with special needs. Currently living with her parents, Sarah said she has started saving at least $35 from every paycheck to be able to get independent housing for her and her boys. She’s already enrolled in our Emergency Savings Incentive Plan and will use the $500 she’ll earn toward that dream.   

“Being in Getting Ahead has shown me that I am indeed important. Before GA I felt like I didn’t belong anywhere and I felt so bad about myself,” she said. “They really made me feel like I belonged and they were happy I was there. Now I have that community feeling and my relationship with my parents has improved. I put my foot down and I said to them ‘I want to make you proud of me, I’m bettering myself.’ I feel like I’m finally getting on the right track.” 

During the 19-session Getting Ahead program, participants like Sarah 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 free success coaching to help them achieve the goals they set for themselves. Our innovative Emergency Savings Incentive Plan allows graduates to earn a $500 emergency savings account as they build skills needed for success.

GA Facilitator Ruth Wilson, who is a program graduate herself, said Sarah grew a lot during the sessions. 

“I believe when Sarah started she was like a lost lamb, but in the end found her way,” she said. “She started standing up for herself more. She got a better understanding of communicating with other people.”

One of the speakers at her GA graduation, Sarah said though she’s not rich financially, she is rich in other areas of her life as she moves out of poverty and into stability.

“My faith has increased so much as well as my plans for myself and my children,” she said. “Although I may still be in poverty, I am rich in my life. Not necessarily in my bank account, because the struggle is real, but I am rich in family, friends, faith, love, patience, good health, humor, joy, and blessings. I look forward to the future because it’s more than Getting Ahead; it’s staying ahead with supportive people pushing you forward.” 

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