South Central Community Action Partnership
Joanne Haynes

A mother with two young children, Joanne Haynes found it difficult to make ends meet each month. Even with WIC and other services through the South Central Community Action Partnership, (SCCAP) she was still struggling to survive.

Joanne knew she needed a good-paying job, but was unsure where to turn. The 24-year-old woman’s path to self-sufficiency was riddled with road blocks including a lack of reliable transportation. She also found it difficult to find quality childcare for her children, Janiya, 5, and JaSaun, 4.

Working with the Adams County Assistance Office, she was referred to SCCAP and its Supported Work Program. SCCAP helped her purchase clothing appropriate for job interviews as well as write her resume and cover letters and hone her interview skills. They also assisted with needed car repairs, which were keeping her from maintaining employment.

Joanne also found she was eligible for other SCCAP programs including Community Action Partnership programs, Weatherization and Child Care Information Services that helped ease the burden so she could focus on getting and maintaining employment.

Joanne started working in the Food Service Department at Gettysburg College, then moved to Rite Aid as an RX Tech. But she knew she had more skills to offer and kept up her job search.

When an employment specialist at SCCAP heard about a job opening at Mid Penn Legal Services, she felt it would be a perfect fit and recommended Joanne for the job. Granted an interview, Joanne nailed it and was hired as a support staff secretary. The job allowed Joanne to increase her wages by more than $2.50 an hour. But the best part – the job included benefits. Joanne loved working at legal services and continues to work at Rite Aid on the weekend.

With that, Joanne is no longer living paycheck to paycheck.

She now is able to afford the basic necessities for her family. She no longer receives food stamps and can afford the upkeep on her car. She also worked to establish dependable back up child care, a lack of which caused serious employment problems for her in the past.

With a great smile and attitude, Joanne is well known at SCCAP. She now gives back to the agency that helped her achieve self-sufficiency by volunteering with the Seeds to Success Market and lending a hand to her peers when they need it.

“I feel SCCAP is a wonderful organization for many reason, one being the Supported Work Program,” Joanne said. “It helped me overcome my barriers and to discover my strengths and weaknesses. It also gave me the incentive to pursue my goals and become successful in life. I hope this program remains active, so it gives others the opportunities that were given to me.”

South Central Community Action Programs Inc. is a Community Action Agency serving low-income citizens of Adams and Franklin counties.