Taking Action and Taking Control

Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley, Inc.

Tammi Zerfass

In December of 2005 when Tammi Zerfass walked into the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley (CACLV) offices, she had no safe and stable residence to call home. She wanted to find a place to safely raise her two children Sapphire and Jaden while she pursued higher education opportunities.  

While she was searching for a way to provide for her family, she sought help from Children and Youth Services who voluntarily helped her place her children with family and friends until she found stable housing.  

Tammi was referred to CACLV's long-term housing program, Turner Street Apartments, from the Lehigh County Assistance Office. The Turner Street Apartments are a long-term transitional housing program of the Sixth Street Shelter in Allentown.   They allow families to stay for an 18-24 month period while working toward self-sufficiency by pursing education and job training.  

For Tammi the Turner Street Apartments provided an amazing opportunity for her and her children. From the beginning CACLV's programs set her on course to succeed. She saved money and worked hard to achieve the goals she created. With the stable housing provided by Turner Street Apartments, Tammi's children were returned to her so they could continue growing as a family. Her children quickly began adapting to the new living situation and began participating in the programs geared at strengthening their education.  

"[Community Action] gave my children back to me by providing a safe place to live and fun activities like the garden project where my kids could learn and play," said Tammi.

In 2006 Tammi enrolled in Financial Fitness classes taught by the Neighborhood Housing Services of the Leigh Valley. The classes helped her to budget her money and understand the significant impact proper spending of money can have on her and her family. She also took time to strengthen her parenting skills by attending Project Child parenting classes and parent-to-child communication classes provided free by the staff at the Sixth Street Shelter.  

Tammi was growing as a parent, now she needed to grow her education and career. She decided to further her education so she could pursue a career in the health services field. While she took classes and worked, she was able to take advantage of the free childcare provided at the apartments.  

The road toward self-sufficiency was not without its difficulties. Tammi faced pressures to give up her education when schoolwork became too demanding and transportation was not readily available. Despite the stress, Tammi stuck with the plan she had developed with CACLV and was able to work through any difficult hurdles that stood in her way. She is quick to credit CACLV with her success.

"It helped me stay motivated and gave me skills to become a better parent," she said.  

In May of 2007 with help from the Lehigh County Assistance Office, she was able to purchase a car to alleviate the difficulties she faced getting to work and school.  

Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley, Inc. creates and maximizes the resources necessary for individuals and families of Lehigh and Northampton counties to achieve self-sufficiency.