New possibilities, new life

Community Progress Council, Inc.

Amy Yancheski

"I'm amazed by Amy," says Pam Keeney, Community Centers director at the Hanover office of the Community Progress Council (CPC), the Community Action Agency providing services to low income residents of York County. "Each time we've seen her she's gotten closer to her goals. She's always positive, motivated and seems to have developed a well-rounded life which has not been easy with all her obstacles."

In October 2002, Amy Yancheski came to Community Centers-Hanover in search of utility assistance through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). She was a nineteen-year-old, single mother with two small children and a full-time cosmetology student. Money was tight and the bills were piling up.

Community Progress Council staff counseled Amy on different avenues of help that were available to her. Through CPC, Amy enrolled in the Customer Assistance Program (CAP), a payment plan with Columbia Gas that is based on an individual's income. Amy was diligent, keeping in touch with CPC staff on a monthly basis while she was making her CAP payments. Since Amy's only income at the time was child support, Pam Keeney referred her to the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program. With WIC assistance for baby formula and food, Amy was able to stretch her income a little further.

CPC continued to provide support and counseling, helping Amy to obtain subsidized housing. In July of 2003, she graduated from cosmetology school and was working full time at a salon. Amy felt that things were taking a turn.

A year later however, Amy found that work at the salon was unfulfilling. Her children, Austin and Ashlyn, wanted to participate in sports and dancing. With the wages she was making at the salon, Amy could not realistically afford the expenses associated with these activities.

After assessing her options, Amy decided to reduce the hours she was working at the salon and entered school full time to get a certification in ultrasound technology. This career would present more opportunities for growth and advancement and provide a higher salary. Amy will soon take her clinical tests and is on track to graduate from the program in 2008.

School, work and children have not kept Amy from setting and obtaining other goals. One of her clients from the salon told Amy about a local mortgage company's first time home buyer program. Amy had desired to purchase her own home, so she inquired about the program and in March 2006 purchased her first home.

Amy has made good things happen because she has set realistic goals and has had the support and counseling she needed from the Community Progress Council as well as others in the community. She credits and appreciates all of the assistance CPC has given her. Amy, Austin and Ashlyn are happier, healthier and more empowered then they've ever been.

Community Progress Council, Inc. provides programs and services to low-income York County residents who seek help in moving to self-sufficiency.