Three women graduated Thursday from the Family Self-Sufficiency Program.
Kim Howell, Kwajalyn Galtney and a woman who remains anonymous got more than just a certificate - they left with a support system.
What started as a program to build and uplift low-income families resulted in a path to independence for the women, two of whom recently became homeowners.
The FSS program is a grant-based program supported through the Jefferson City Housing Authority. It helps low-income families enhance their lives by taking life skill classes, volunteering and learning what it takes to improve their lives on an individual basis.
Vicki Bullock, founder of the Redeem Project, facilitates the program.
While completing the FSS program, clients are provided an interest-earning escrow savings account. It accumulates as their income rises and as they are able to pay more toward their rent with less assistance from the Section 8 housing choice voucher program.
Howell was the only one of the three graduates who has been with Bullock for the full five years, and she praised Bullock for her ongoing support.
"Vicki is and has been my support throughout my journey in FSS," Howell said. "No matter whether she had to call, text or email me, she made sure that I was where I needed to be and committed to achieving my goals."
Howell said she found out about the program five years ago after Bullock helped her through Hope for Christmas, a program supporting atypical families with hardships during the holiday season.
"When I started the program, my goal was to save money and to get off of government assistance programs, and I have done much more," Howell said.
Now, she said she has learned how to manage her time better, access parenting resources, budget and check her credit score. The wife and the mother of seven children currently is pursuing her license to practice nursing.
Howell's husband, Lambert, and her daughter, Jasmine, said they were both proud of her for everything she has overcome.
"I'm glad she went through the program," Lambert Howell said. "I'm proud that she had the faith to stick it out and for everything she has done and continues to do to build herself up, especially with getting enrolled in the nursing program."
After working with FSS for two years and nine months, Kwajalyn Galtney said graduating makes her proud and a bit nervous at the same time.
"The hardest thing about graduating is the thought I will not get to see the ladies as often. They are like family," she said.
Galtney noted without FSS, she would have never learned how to budget or be able to call herself a homeowner. Her advice to others: it's OK to be scared.
"Without fear, there is no motivation to keep moving forward," Galtney said.
Several representatives from the Housing Authority attended the graduation, including Executive Director Cynthia Quetsch.
"We are very proud of you. After sitting here listening to all the things she has done for you and all the encouragement she has given to you, we want to make sure we continue this program as long as we can," Quetsch said of Bullock.
Bullock added the three women worked very hard to be where they are today.
"This is what the program is all about; it's about family, friends, collaboration, determination and perseverance - all those positive words that help us to grow and be successful," she said.