Foundation for tthe Future

Schuylkill Community Action

Jennifer O'Doherty

During her life, Jennifer O'Doherty, a twenty-five year old single mother of two children, has overcome many obstacles. She has demonstrated that she has the motivation and determination to make a better life for herself and for her daughter and son. Along the way, Schuylkill Community Action provided the support and connection to resources that Jennifer needed to succeed.

At the age of fifteen, Jennifer was on her own and homeless in Queens, New York. For years, Jennifer cycled in and out of homeless shelters, battling alcoholism. At seventeen, she gave birth to her daughter and had a very bleak future ahead. When she was twenty-one, Jennifer came to Pennsylvania and enrolled in the addiction treatment program at Gaudenzia. After graduating from the treatment program in July 2003, Jennifer and her daughter enrolled in the transitional housing program, Schuylkill County Bridge House Program.  

The structured environment of Bridge House allowed Jennifer to create a goal plan with her case manager that would set the foundation for her future. She wanted to remain clean and sober, improve upon her education, obtain a driver's license, purchase her own vehicle, find employment and secure safe and affordable housing for herself and her child.  

Jennifer accomplished many of her goals while living at Bridge House and participating in their case management aftercare program, Project CARE. In 2004, the Pottsville Housing Authority helped Jennifer obtain housing. In 2005, she obtained an associates degree in Criminal Justice from the McCann School of Business in Pottsville. Her educational achievement paid off when she was hired by Gaudenzia in January 2006.

Since completing the Bridge House Program, Jennifer gave birth to a second child. She has maintained her sobriety for over four years, obtained her driver's license and purchased her own vehicle. She is currently employed full-time and receives health benefits for herself and her two children.

"Bridge Housing helped me to find my first apartment and to manage money," says Jennifer.  

In April, Jennifer attended and completed Schuylkill Community Action's Homebuyer's Workshop. The information she gained from the workshop will help her achieve the future goal of purchasing her own home. Jennifer wishes to become a PA State Trooper and will be pursuing the career in the future.

Schuylkill Community Action is the agency that provides services to low-income individuals throughout Schuylkill County.