Vicki Bullock, founder of the Redeem Project, is helping to uplift households across the community year-round by offering low-income families an opportunity to become independent of government assistance.
By partnering with the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Jefferson City, the Redeem Project offers a grant-based program titled Family Self-Sufficiency.
"Many of the clients have been in the cycle of Section 8 majority of their lives, and this is helping them to move away from that and live self-sufficiently," Bullock said.
Clients typically sign a five-year contract allowing the program to help them become employed, work toward improving areas of their lives on an individual basis, gain leadership skills and learn overall independence.
In addition to taking life skill classes, the clients are provided an interest-earning escrow savings account that 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.
"For the families that are a part of this program, this is a second chance," Kwajalyn Galtney said. "If you are serious about changing your life, do it."
Galtney has been a client for two years and will graduate early from the program. To graduate early, she had to complete the required classes and become employed. Galtney is in the process of becoming a new homeowner.
When interviewed by the News Tribune, she was not sure how much she would have in her escrow savings account, but she said the lessons she will take from the program are even more valuable.
Other clients - like Tammie Smith, Virginia Burries and Jacqueline Stewart - also spoke highly of their involvement.
"We're learning how to pay our bills, how to save money and take care of our kids," Smith said. "Learning how to stay focused on what's important is what I think is most valuable."
Burries agreed, adding Bullock is a great support system for families in the group.
"She reaches out to us beyond the FSS program and looks at us as human beings trying to make something out of ourselves," Burries said.
As a part of the clients' community service requirements, they were working with Table of Grace Church to help prepare for its Kids Club Back to School Drive on Tuesday. Kids Club is an evening of activities for the children who have pre-registered. All participants will receive a backpack filled with school supplies.
"In the two years I've been involved, I've been doing more for the community, and I want to continue to do so even after this because programs like these have helped me," Burries said.
For newer clients like Bethany Herd, who recently moved from Hannibal, the program offers an opportunity for her to get on her feet and established in the community. Herd said one of her life goals is to live without government assistance.
In the span of one year, Stewart has witnessed growth from everyone.
"No matter what everyone's issues are, they have been able to accomplish their goals using the skills we have been taught in the classes," she said. "If I wouldn't have seen improvement, I wouldn't have stayed this long."