Gail* has big dreams.

A young single mother of three children, Gail wants to build a video production and film business.

“I’d love to open a studio and café right in my own community,” she remarks. “But being solo requires a significant amount of planning and discipline, and it often can put dreams on hold.

In the United States today, nearly 24 million children live in a single-parent family, according to the Annie E. Casey Foundation. This total, which has been rising for half a century, covers about one in every three kids across America. Factors contributing to this increase are decisions for people to marry later in life, declining marriage rates, increasing divorce rates, and an uptick in babies born to single mothers.

Since 1984, Catholic Charities Family Self-Sufficiency Program has been helping single-parent families overcome obstacles to becoming self-sufficient.

As Patricia Fuller, a program supervisor for the program, explained, “The essence of the program aims to build a strong and collaborative relationship between social workers, employment specialists, and the individual.”

The program accompanies single parents for up to five years to foster goals achievement.

A 2019 graduate of the program, Gail didn’t know what to expect when her journey started.

“When I first started, my exact thoughts were, ‘This is a program for people trying to keep it together’,” reflected Gail. “It challenges the participant to set goals, and make game plans to achieve them while creating a custom work plan that caters to the specific life circumstances.”

“This is the kick in the pants I need!”

Gail had other goals far beyond her studio ownership ambitions.

“My goals at the beginning were to: secure stable housing and employment; pay off my debt and build credit; go back to school to pump up my resume to apply for better employment opportunities; and to lose weight,”

It was with a great amount of confidence that Gail shared, “To date, I have accomplished every goal that my case worker and I set.”

Since leaving the program, her goals continue to be modified based on her near- and long-term needs.

“Along with still hoping to develop my video studio, I want to own my own house,” she adds. “When I eventually open my business, that residual income will become a fund that I hope to fuel investments within my own community to shine greater light for others to see how to gain the skills to effectively plan for family and financial success.

At no point did Gail believe this program was going to be easy.

“You have to be really honest with yourself about the areas that you lack in. You also have to have to set realistic goals and dig in like there’s no tomorrow. You have to push harder and get out of the box you’ve been stuck in. Cut out the people and habits that keep you unfocused. Remove the toxic parts to make room for the people and habits that will water your soul and contribute to your life, happiness, and growth.”

The most challenging part of FSS was seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Committing to the program while going through everyday struggles. Gail remembers it was hard to focus and stay in alignment when things went wrong. Not worrying was also challenging for me.

Patricia Fuller credits the program’s modeling as key to its success.

“Catholic Charities built our program around the same key elements instituted by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in their highly-regarded initiative.  Their best-in-class approach is one our case workers have closely aligned to because it works.”

Today, when she’s not busy as a claims operations manager, Gail loves being a sports mom and keeping a clear eye on her goals for owning a thriving business and loving home.

“Don’t get me wrong,” Gail says. “It’s hard maintaining a work/home life balance, but it is very rewarding to be able to take care of my family without it interfering with my work.”

To this day, Gail remembers the important lessons she learned throughout the program.

“You must be willing to face your shortcomings and not make excuses for them any longer,” acknowledges Gail. “You can fly as high or soar as far as your mind’s eye will take you, but you will need to work for it. There will be days when you are feeling crushed. On those days, remember why you started. Don’t be afraid to trust in the process.”

*name changed for confidentiality