A New Opportunity, A New Future: How the Student Success Fund is Opening Doors for Michelle

When families arrive at Solutions for Change, they aren't simply looking for a place to stay. They're looking for a chance to rebuild their lives.

That rebuilding happens one step at a time.

For one of our current parents, that next step is a phlebotomy certification: a career opportunity made possible entirely through our Student Success Fund.

The Student Success Fund exists because generous donors believe that education and career training are essential to breaking the cycle of poverty. While our families work hard every day to transform their lives, many professional certifications remain financially out of reach without community support. This fund bridges that gap, allowing parents to pursue careers that offer stability, growth, and long-term financial independence.

For Michelle, it represents something even bigger: a pathway toward a stable career and bringing her family back together.

Breaking a Difficult Cycle

In July 2025, Michelle entered Solutions for Change while pregnant with her youngest son, Vincent.

Before arriving, life had become a cycle that felt impossible to escape.

She struggled with unstable housing, moving in and out of her parents' home while trying to regain her footing.

"I was going through housing instability," she shared. "It was the hardest cycle to break."

With three children already, she knew she needed something different - not just temporary assistance, but a program that would help her build lasting stability.

She was accepted into the program in July and has spent the last year doing the difficult work of rebuilding her life while also working to reunify with her three oldest children.

While at Solutions for Change, Michelle welcomed baby Vincent, moved into her own apartment within the Solutions campus, completed classes, participated in Employment Related Training (ERT), and is now preparing to enter the Job Search stage.

Looking back, she's amazed by how much has happened in such a short time.

“Time has flown…getting into my apartment, having the baby here, going into ERT, coming into classes, and now getting into the phase of going into job service… it went by quick!”

More Than Housing

One of the biggest changes she has experienced isn't something you can see.

It's the return of routine, structure, and confidence.

Like many parents entering the program, years of instability made it difficult to maintain consistency and plan for the future. Through Solutions for Change, she has been able to rebuild those habits.

"It's something that helped me relearn what I knew I had," she explained. "Prioritizing, organizing, having a set schedule, following a routine... bringing that balance back again and regaining that stability."

Those daily routines become the foundation for lasting success. They prepare parents not only to maintain housing, but also to succeed in the workplace and provide for their children long after graduation.

Opening the Next Door

Now, Michelle has set her sights on a new path, starting with a Phlebotomy Certification Program in September.

The opportunity was inspired by watching a friend find success in the field. Combined with her previous experience as a veterinary assistant, she realized phlebotomy could open multiple career paths.

She hopes to begin working in a hospital after completing the program and eventually continue advancing her education, possibly becoming an emergency room technician.

"I like helping people," she said. "It's something I've always liked doing."

For her, this certification isn't simply one class. It's the first step on a career ladder.

Career training can change the trajectory of an entire family, but only if it's accessible.

When she learned that community members had specifically donated to help parents pursue education and career certifications, she was overwhelmed with gratitude.

"It's a big help," she said. "I'm grateful for that opportunity. It opens another door... another possibility of growing."

She hopes this new opportunity will allow her to continue learning, growing professionally, and eventually give back to others.

A Dream Worth Investing In

Michelle’s experience is exactly what the Student Success Fund was created to accomplish. When donors invest in education, they aren't simply paying tuition.

They're helping parents qualify for careers with family-supporting wages. They're helping children grow up with greater stability. They're helping entire families build futures that would have once seemed impossible.

Like every parent at Solutions for Change, Michelle has a vision for the future.

Her greatest hope is to reunite all of her children under one roof.

"My end-goal is to have them all under one roof," she said. "I would like to own my own home and have that stability for me and my kids."

She dreams of finding a stable career, securing permanent housing, and one day owning a home where her family can thrive.

It's a dream built on hundreds of small, faithful steps.

Because of the generosity of donors who give to the Student Success Fund, that journey is already underway.

If you’d like to provide support for parents like Michelle, you can visit our Student Success Fund page here!