Success Stories

Every PS-S participant's success story is your success too because your belief in our mission helps make great things happen.

Meet PS-S Graduate, Wendy

Meet PS-S Graduate, Rebecca

Meet PS-S Graduate, Nikki

Meet PS-S Participant, Caddie

Meet PS-S Participant, Sylvia

Meet Wendy...

A PS-S and CSU graduate, Wendy exudes gratitude for the support she has received and for her good fortune in obtaining a full-time job in her career field. She obtained a Bachelor of Social Work with a minor in Criminal Justice in May 2012 and recently landed a position as a Social Services Representative at a long-term care facility in Greeley. "Wendy's success can be credited to her steady determination and commitment to chip away at her personal and academic goals in order to achieve self- sufficiency for herself and her two children," her advisor Michele said.

When Wendy came to PS-S, she was originally looking for childcare resources, since this was her biggest obstacle to attending college. What she ended up with was more than she had dreamed of: a caring and dedicated advisor who helped her through the career advising process and several years of academic and personal guidance; childcare support so that she could reduce her work hours and focus on getting her degree; a powerful experience in the Self-Esteem Workshop that helped her realize her own self-worth; and the Boundless Children program which has allowed her son Kadan to participate in activities such as Boy Scouts, T-ball and karate and discover his own abilities and strengths.

"PS-S is my family," Wendy said. "If it wasn't for this program, I would still be years away from having my degree and working in a field that I love. I honestly don't take any of this for granted and feel it is a true blessing in my life."  Back to top

Meet Rebecca...

When Rebecca came to Project Self-Sufficiency, she was working 40 hours a week and taking up to 15 credits a semester. To manage this work load, her eight-month-old daughter was in childcare up to 12 hours a day, a situation that was less than ideal.

With the help of her advisor and the support of PS-S, Rebecca was able to obtain numerous scholarships, which resulted in her focusing on her studies, boosting her academic performance and having more hands-on time parenting. She also received assistance in selling her car, which was a financial burden, and was a beneficiary of the Houska Car Giveaway, which allowed her to continue to get to and from class and daycare.

PS-S also arranged for an internship at a CSU lab to build Rebecca’s resume. After gaining some experience in the internship, Rebecca was referred to the owner of a private laboratory for a job interview. The owner of the lab is a strong supporter of PS-S and was very impressed by Rebecca. In July Rebecca started her new job as a microbiologist in the lab!

 “What inspires me is people working hard to better themselves and their situations,” said Rebecca. All of us are inspired by Rebecca and her success as a recent CSU graduate who worked hard to earned a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology and is well on her way to becoming self-sufficient.  Back to top

Meet Nikki...

Nikki graduated from PS-S last spring after completing a Bachelor's Degree at CSU in Communications with a minor in Spanish. While enrolled in PS-S she did an internship with the Northern Colorado Business Report to gain marketing experience. After completing her education, Nikki began an extensive job search and secured a position as a Web Marketing Specialist for a distance learning company managing PPC (pay-per-click) advertising in the field of higher education. She loves her job and is so pleased with her career choice.  Back to top

Meet Caddie...

Caddie is a single parent who is eager to develop a career that will pay living wages and make it possible for her to support her two young sons on her own. Caddie worked closely with her PS-S advisor to find a career path that would capitalize on her aptitude for life sciences and her excellent retention and written communication skills. 

Caddie completed her degree in Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Northern Colorado and then finished an internship at the Poudre Valley Health System lab. She has since been hired by the hospital as a Phlebotomist with a goal to move up to Laboratory Technician. Caddie is cross-training in the specimen processing center, as well as job-shadowing with the technicians.  She has been accepted into the Medical Lab Tech program at Arapahoe Community College in the Fall which will make it possible for her to qualify as an Medical Laboratory Technician.

In support of Caddie’s excellent efforts to build her career, Project Self-Sufficiency has been pleased to offer a number of resources, including subsidized housing, a donated vehicle for travel to Greeley, and PS-S scholarships among others. Caddie has also secured many other resources on her own including several renewable scholarships, work study positions, and a positive support system. 

“My PS-S advisor obviously cares about the people she works with,” exclaims Caddie.  “She and all of the PS-S staff have been a great support during this very complicated time in my life, and I couldn't be more grateful!"  Back to top

Meet Sylvia...

Sylvia recently earned her Associates degree and transfered to CSU to complete a Bachelors in business.  Sylvia is enormously resourceful. Last semester, she worked with PS-S volunteer tutors on both math and accounting coursework.  Last summer she took a five-credit-hour economics course.  On her own initiative, Sylvia conducted an informational interview with a high level executive at a local manufacturing company where she has worked part-time in food services.  A mother to a five-year-old daughter, she envisions helping run a business or even owning her own business someday.   Sylvia had this to say about PS-S:  “This is an opportunity of a lifetime, and I do not intend to take it for granted.”  Back to top