Residents of Community LINC share reflections on what being here means to them. Watch one resident as she and her family walk into their apartment for the first time.
Meet Our Residents
Our families come to us with a number of barriers that prevent them from moving their lives in a more positive direction. Lack of education, significant debt, and unstable employment are just a few. Often they are so focused on simply surviving, there is no room for anything else. Through Community LINC's program, we provide our families with a safe and stable environment in which to break down these barriers, and offer them the knowledge and resources needed to make positive, healthy choices. After completing our program, families leave Community LINC as independent, contributing members of the broader community. They leave with the satisfaction of having overcome many obstacles, and knowing that they are in charge of their future.
Success Stories
The Cole Family came to Community LINC in April 2009. They moved to Kansas City from Indiana after losing their jobs and eventually their home. Like so many others in their situation, they doubled-up with relatives and began the daunting task of finding employment andregaining stability.Discouraged by repeated rejections from potential employers and disheartened by growing tensions within the crowded household, Mr. Cole made the decision to move to Arizona in pursuit of an employment opportunity. After leaving his family behind in hopes of creating a better future for them, he was once again met with disappointment. At their breaking point, the Cole's heard about Community LINC. When informed that they had been accepted into the program, Mr. Cole broke into tears exclaiming how happy he was to be given the opportunity to provide stability for his family.
Today, the Coles are gainfully employed and working hard to address and remove their barriers to housing. Not only are they actively engaged in the Tuesday and Thursday night programming, they also offer their time to help around the community on their days off. They are very positive role models and take advantage of every opportunity to perpetuate a sense of community. It’s been a tough road, but the Coles are well on their way to a very bright and stable future.
The Craig Family joined Community LINC in March 2009. Employed as magazine salespersons for a less than reputable company, the expectant couple found themselves stranded in Kansas City, homeless, jobless, with meager financial resources and a very limited support system. Demonstrating great resilience, the couple decided to remain in Kansas City and ride out the storm that had suddenly overtaken them.
The Craigs were referred to Community LINC by the Full Employment Council; they completed the intake process and complied with all requests for documentation. Once accepted into the program the family immediately began the slow and tedious process of rebuilding their lives and providing a safe and stable environment for their new baby girl.
Today, both are employed full time and successfully pursuing their interests in cosmetology and graphic design. They exemplify the meaning of community by maintaining positive attitudes, sharing resources with others, hosting community potluck get-togethers and reaching out to new residents. As a testament to their community spirit, the Craigs have consistently been in the drawing for the “Best Kept Apartment” and “Strongest LINC” awards.
The Wilson Family: Jimi and her four children entered our program in March 2008 as a result of prolonged homelessness. The family had been living with Jimi’s boyfriend and his relatives, but when things became too crowded and chaotic, she and her children were asked to leave. With no income, a limited and sporadic employment history and several housing evictions, she was forced to move her family into a shelter.
Motivated by desperation, Jimi applied to Community LINC and was accepted into the program. Upon entering, she immediately set about the task of breaking old patterns, establishing new patterns, learning new skills and positioning herself to adequately provide stable housing and a bright future for her children. She obtained employment at Westin Crown Center, enrolled in Penn Valley’s Business Administration program and retired approximately $3500 in old debt.
More than a year later, Jimi has seen first-hand what diligence and consistency can accomplish. Not only has she successfully completed our program, but she remains employed full-time with benefits, is continuing to work on her college degree, has retired all housing-related debts, and has transitioned to permanent housing.