Turning setbacks into opportunities

Bucks County Opportunity Council, Inc.

Mary Shortall

Unemployed, homeless, and desperate, Mary Shortall and her son were in a seemingly hopeless situation. Discouraged and disheartened by low wage employment, poor credit and a succession of junk automobiles that made commuting to work a daily trial, Mary wondered how she could possibly break her deepening spiral into poverty.

Because of her circumstances, Mary was eligible for a subsidized Affordable Housing Voucher from the Housing Authority. She was also determined to do whatever was necessary to lift herself and her son out of poverty. As a result, the Housing Authority encouraged Mary to contact the Bucks County Opportunity Council (BCOC) for help in finding subsidized housing and to learn more about the agency's Economic Self-Sufficiency (ES) Programs.

Mary contacted BCOC and met with Tammy Schoonover, self-sufficiency specialist, in November 2000. A determined and proud woman, she realized that the agency's Economic Self-Sufficiency and Family Self-Sufficiency (ES-FSS) Programs was an opportunity for her to permanently escape poverty.   But she was also scared. She knew that before she could get beyond poverty, she would face a period when her income would exceed the eligibility limits for government subsidies, but would still be inadequate for her family to subsist. Despite her fear, Mary took a leap of faith and entered the ES-FSS Program.

The transformation that followed was nothing short of amazing. With Tammy's help, Mary developed a realistic plan for success that included educational, professional and economic goals. Tammy helped Mary find an apartment for her family and later intervened on her behalf when she faced an unjust eviction from her landlord. BCOC helped Mary purchase a car when an accident totaled hers while she was on her way home from school. The timely replacement was critical so Mary could continue her work and attend her classes.

BCOC's Adopt A Family program provided more than one joyful Christmas for Mary and her son. Mary was motivated, diligent and resourceful and took advantage of every ES-FSS opportunity. Without the ES-FSS Program, she knew she could not complete the education that empowered her to break through the barriers of poverty nor earn her escrow savings from the Housing Authority.

"Life had always been one step forward, two steps back," said Mary. "It was very discouraging. Tammy was always there to help me pick up the pieces when I was knocked back those steps. She helped me get back on my feet again. She helped me to set attainable goals that I was able to accomplish and then exceed."

Mary worked full time at a variety of low paying jobs while continuing her studies toward a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management Information Systems. She secured employment with an insurance company in August 2005 and in November used several thousand dollars she had saved in her escrow account at the Housing Authority to transition to an unsubsidized apartment rental. Mary graduated from Eastern University and the ES-FSS Program this past May and no longer needs government subsidies. She continues to work as an insurance account manager. She and her son now have health insurance and a reliable car.

"We went from having nothing to having a life. I never thought that my life would be like this but it is getting better every day," Mary explained. "I don't think I would have tried as hard to get off the subsidized housing if it wasn't for Tammy and Lynn, a former ES graduate. When I was down they were there for me. I could not have done it without the support of Tammy, Lynn and my family. They made me strive to become a better person."

At the ES graduation ceremony in May, standing beside a confident Mary, Tammy shared her admiration and pride for Mary's spirit, drive and achievement with a captivated audience. "I have learned from you that, despite heartache and hardship, the human spirit can prevail with dignity and pride. I am proud of you and consider it a privilege to know you and walk with you," Tammy said.

Bucks County Opportunity Council, Inc. helps low income residents of Bucks County achieve and maintain economic self-sufficiency through a variety of successful programs.