Congratulations to our September 2019 Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program graduates! Through grant funding received from the Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency (ROSS) and Family ROSS Service Coordinators programs, Tulsa Housing Authority (THA) staffs additional service coordinators that offer case management services based on public housing residents’ selected goals. These coordinators complete a household profile on all participants in the program and goals are set according to each individual resident’s needs. Coordinators provide assistance with goals such as work and scholastic education, job placement, individualized counseling, homeownership education and opportunities for a pathway out of public housing. For more information on the program click here.
Whitney Landrum graduated from the FSS program after achieving her bachelor’s degree. Here’s what she had to say about her time in the program:
“So, where do I begin? At every job interview they ask you to name three words that describe you – determined, consistent and motivated.
I started the housing program at the age of fourteen, while all my friends were doing teen things. I was home learning to be a mother. In today’s society teen pregnancy is looked down on and written off as failures. Well, I am here today to say we are not all the same. We are not all failures.
As of May 2018, I finished nursing school with my bachelor’s. That same child that I was holding 18 years ago will be graduating high school in May 2020.
I am thankful for the FSS program because it has helped me along the way and it will also help me achieve my next goal when I use the escrow funds to purchase my first house. I am very grateful and appreciative for everything the FSS program has done for me.”
Noel Neldon graduated the FSS program, achieving finishing her medical assistant program. She had to say the following of her time in the program:
“I joined the FSS program hoping that in the end I would be able to buy a house. I took the First-Time Homebuyer class through Housing Partners of Tulsa, along wit he credit and budget class to help better understand what steps I needed to take. I learned a lot from the classes, including what to look for when buying a home, where I could cut expenses to save more and how to repair my credit.
I finished my medical assistant program and received my completion certificate. I still would like to further my education within the medical field and pursue a nursing degree. With the escrow I receive I hope to be able to buy a house and put some money towards my education.
I want to thank the FSS program and THA for giving me the opportunity and the resources to pursue my goals.”