“It was a tough time in my life,” Debi reflects. “Being self-sufficient was a new concept to me.”
Debi’s journey to independence began with the courage to overcome barriers—including domestic violence, financial hardship, and the absence of family support. As a teen mom who grew up in a two-parent household, she never imagined she’d be working three jobs to support her three children, or carrying the full weight of being the sole breadwinner without control over the family’s finances. With resilience and the right resources, Debi moved forward and moved into CARE Communities (formerly CARE Housing)—the very organization where she works today.
A Promotion and a Turning Point
While working 40 hours a week in mechanical assembly, Debi was promoted to engineering support—an opportunity that quickly revealed gaps in her technical writing and marketing skills. She quickly knew what she needed to do to fill her knowledge gaps and took the steps that landed her in front of her advisor at Front Range Community College. There, her advisor pointed her toward Project Self-Sufficiency, and Debi applied right away.
Debi was devoted to the outcome. She registered for classes that would fit her schedule. However, many of them were online. Debi struggled without having a computer at home. Between her full-time job, finding time to go to the library to access the technology she needed for her online courses, and caring for three school-aged children, Debi was stretched impossibly thin.
“I was all over the place,” Debi says. “I didn’t have access to or knowledge of resources.”
Finding Support—and Herself
Project Self-Sufficiency provided more than financial assistance. Project Self-Sufficiency connected her with a car donation, guidance, time management skills, and access to resources she didn’t know existed. With funds for a laptop, she could take classes online and reduce childcare needs.
When asked what she most recalls using Project Self-Sufficiency funds for, Debi’s answer is immediate: car repairs, gas, and utilities—the basics she couldn’t get help with elsewhere.
But perhaps the most transformative support came from her advisor, Maggie.
“I had to learn to ask for help. I had the right advisor,” Debi says. “She saw the silent struggles I was experiencing. When my grades dropped, she helped me refocus and remind me of my why.”
Maggie taught Debi to budget—skills she still uses today and has passed on to her children. The Boundless Funds and holiday gifts helped Debi stick to her budget throughout the year, creating stability.
Opening Doors for Her Children
For Debi, the Boundless Funds weren’t just about survival—they were about opportunity. “Access to the Boundless Funds was a ‘HUGE’ opportunity for my kids,” she shares.
Her oldest, Billy, took guitar lessons and played in bands as he grew up. Today, he is passing his guitar skills and talents to his oldest daughter. Debi’s daughters, Brittney and Brandy, enjoyed horseback riding—social opportunities that expanded their world and gave them experiences Debi would not have been able to offer on her own.
A Creative Outlet and a New Path
During college, Debi found her marketing coursework to be a much-needed creative outlet amid the demands of single parenthood and full-time work. She earned her AAS in Business Management & Marketing, then went on to complete a BS in Public Administration and an MA in Human Resource Management.
“Project Self-Sufficiency opened my eyes to nonprofit work and community work,” Debi says.
Today, she works for CARE Communities and serves on the Board of Directors for Project Self-Sufficiency, the very organizations that helped her build a new life.
Words of Wisdom
Debi’s advice to other single parents is simple but powerful: “You can do it. Acknowledge the small wins—they create momentum for the next one. Take pride in who you are at every step along the way.”
To current Project Self-Sufficiency participants, Debi offers this encouragement: “Be proud of where you are. Celebrate each step toward self-sufficiency and do it in front of your children so they can celebrate with you.”
And to the donors who make this work possible, her gratitude is clear: “Serving on the Board of Project Self-Sufficiency has been a goal of mine since graduation, and I’m honored to give back to the organization that gave so much to me.”
From participant to board member. From survivor to advocate. From struggling single mom to empowered leader.
Full circle, indeed.
The Power of SelfPowered!
