Barbara’s Story
“REACH was there to help us get by.”
~ Barbara, Ritzdorf Court resident
Barbara and Emily moved from transitional housing into their own apartment at the Ritzdorf Court in October 2006. It was a chance for their family to get a fresh start. However their good luck did not hold. Barbara was on her way to a new job when she fell and broke her leg. Her first worry was how she was going to get Emily to school.
According to Barbara, the staff at REACH helped connect them with different people and organizations – everything from getting rent assistance in the first few months to learning how to manage their money through Budget Buy and $ave classes. REACH staff even helped Barbara get Emily transferred to a neighborhood school.
Barbara has been volunteering to improve her job skills and recently got an employment internship. At every step of the way, Barbara says that the REACH was there to help them get by.
Emily is in the 7th grade and has joined REACH’s Youth$ave program. She takes classes through Saturday Academy at PSU and, like lots of eleven year olds, has all sorts of dreams.
Now, with stable housing and a support network, Barbara and Emily are ready to face the world with determination and hope for their future.
“I tell people that even if they have to start off small – never give up.” – Barbara, Ritzdorf Court Resident
