Regaining control of her life

Community Action Agency of
Delaware County

Lisa Hillman

Lisa Hillman was a thirty-six-year-old mother of a 10- and a 14-year-old who became a single parent when her husband left her and the children. With no means of support, she applied for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). Several months later, Lisa was referred to the Supported Work program of the Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Inc. (CAADC) by the local County Assistance Office, a referral that would prove instrumental in getting her life back on track.

Lisa had been living in Linwood, Pennsylvania for several years and enjoyed her life and her home. When she and her husband began having marital problems, Lisa discovered there was a serious default in the mortgage payments. Shortly thereafter, she received notification that her home was about to go into foreclosure.

When Lisa came to CAADC, she and her case manager initially focused on goals that would help her become self-sufficient.   They included maintaining a permanent residence, finding reliable child care and securing stable employment.

After receiving notice of foreclosure, Lisa's initial step was to maintain and stabilize her housing. Through CAADC and the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), she was approved for the Home Owners' Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program, enabling her and her children to keep their home.  

She then set her sights on obtaining employment. Lisa found and worked at several part-time jobs until she was hired full time at a local auto leasing business as an auction title and sales coordinator. The Community Action Agency of Delaware County was there to help, providing work clothing and eyeglasses.

Lisa participated in all of CAADC's program activities by sharing her past experiences and providing encouragement to other participants. During many of the job readiness workshops she attended, Lisa was always there to offer a spark of energy and enthusiasm. She had even prepared and led a conflict resolution workshop.

Lisa ultimately left her position at the auto leasing business to accept a position as title and insurance administrator at a financial services agency. She enjoys her work and has since been promoted from administering a single business unit to administering services for the entire agency.

Lisa has faced challenges along the way and CAADC has always been there to provide guidance and assistance. When she recently began having problems with her vehicle, her case manager introduced her to the Money Smarts budgeting program which will provide financial guidance in helping her save for a new car.

The Community Action Agency of Delaware County, Inc. serves the low-income population of Delaware County with a wide variety of services and programs designed to meet their needs.