Driving Change: How Transportation Transforms Lives

The road to self-sufficiency often begins with four wheels and a reliable engine. For many single parents in our program, lack of transportation isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a roadblock to their entire future. Public transportation and ride-sharing services, while available, quickly become financially unsustainable, with costs mounting alongside already-stretched budgets for housing, childcare, and basic necessities.

The numbers tell a stark story. Our single parents typically need:

• $381 for vehicle repairs
• $362 for insurance, registration, and payment assistance
• $135 per request for gas

When you’re already managing rent, utilities, childcare, and groceries, adding a car payment can feel impossible. Yet reliable transportation remains crucial for accessing education, employment, and essential services.

Meet Sherry: A Journey of Determination

This is where Sherry’s story begins—and thanks to our community’s support, it’s also where her story takes a dramatic turn for the better. As a single mother of two, Sherry exemplifies the determination we see in all the single parents we work with. Currently maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA while pursuing her associate’s degree in business at Front Range Community College, Sherry has her sights set on transferring to CSU for a bachelor’s in business administration, focusing on Management and Innovation.

But dreams require wheels to reach them. Through our Cars for Families program, Sherry recently received a life-changing gift: a donated vehicle with 87,523 miles and a future as bright as its new owner’s. Our dedicated volunteers ensured the car was ready for its new family, replacing the cabin filter, air filter, and windshield wipers. The program funded new rear shocks, ensuring Sherry wouldn’t have to dip into her own limited resources for these essential safety improvements.

This isn’t just about transportation—it’s about transformation. Sherry’s ultimate goal is to give back to her community through nonprofit work, exemplifying how one act of generosity can create ripples of positive change throughout our community.

The Bigger Picture

The misconception that government assistance readily covers transportation needs leaves many families struggling to bridge this crucial gap. At Project Self-Sufficiency of Northern Colorado, we understand that wraparound services—including transportation support—are essential for creating lasting change. We’re committed to helping single parents overcome barriers to self-sufficiency, creating vibrant futures for themselves and their children, and supporting thriving communities.

With proper care, Sherry’s new vehicle will reliably serve her family for years to come. But more importantly, it represents the key to unlocking her potential—enabling her to attend classes, transport her children safely, and pursue her dreams of making a difference in the nonprofit sector.

As Sherry drives toward her brighter future—one mile at a time—she carries with her the support of an entire community that believes in her potential. And that’s what Project Self-Sufficiency is all about: removing barriers, creating opportunities, and empowering dedicated parents like Sherry to transform their lives.

Your support makes stories like Sherry’s possible. Together, we can continue to reduce barriers and create access to educational opportunities, financial stability, and quality care for all the families we serve.

When you support single parents and their children, you are creating a multigenerational impact.

Want to help more parents like Sherry? Contact us to learn about our Cars for Families program and other ways to support our mission.