For Jennifer and Juan, daily life once revolved around perseverance rather than planning. Housing was unstable and often unsafe. After time in a shelter, the family moved into an apartment where safety became their primary concern. Rodents infested the kitchen, the stove caught fire, and cooking meals at home became impossible. When neighbors broke in and pulled a gun during a confrontation, they knew they had to leave.
With limited income, unreliable transportation, and no nearby family to lean on, the cracks widened. The family became homeless, living out of their car with two young children.
“We hear from a lot of coaching participants that they didn’t really have a support network,” one CPC staff member explained. “That social capital, someone to rely on, is something we see many families missing.”
Jennifer and Juan’s turning point came through the Community Progress Council’s Self-Sufficiency Program, supported in part by a grant from YCCF. Within days of reaching out, the family was connected to a caseworker and enrolled in Miss Bobbi’s Place, a CPC nonprofit partner providing supportive housing and wraparound services focused on long-term stability.
Their experience reflects a broader challenge. In York County, nearly half of renters are considered cost-burdened, spending 30 percent or more of their income on housing, and the rental vacancy rate is just 3.4 percent*, making safe, affordable options hard to find.
With stable housing in place, Jennifer and Juan began setting goals: childcare, transportation, financial skills, and eventually homeownership. CPC helped enroll their daughter in Head Start, making steady employment possible. They completed financial literacy, credit-building, and first-time homebuyer classes.
Setbacks came. Jobs changed. Their car failed. Juan often walked long distances home from work. But monthly coaching meetings became a place to regroup. “They weren’t disappointed in us,” Jennifer said. “They helped us figure out the next step.”
Progress followed. Better jobs. Improved credit. On-time bills. A reliable car. Their own apartment.
Today, the family is preparing to buy their first home. Their story is still unfolding, but it is moving forward with momentum, stability, and the support of a community that believes in second chances.
“We want other families to know they’re not alone,” Jennifer said. “If you want better for yourself and your kids, there are people who will help you get there.”
*York County Economic Action Plan York County Housing Needs and Conditions Assessment, July 2023
