Stories

There are 900 families in our community who need help and hope. Help with the basics, like housing, employment, early education, food, and transportation. And hope for a brighter, more stable future.

Read Their Stories

Employment

Chris had a good job. Then his employer reorganized and his job was eliminated. He was left with bills to pay and a child to support.

Chris made finding a job his new full-time job. “I was never so scared in my life,” he admitted. “I was willing to do anything.”

When unemployment ran out, he faced the uncertainty of how he would support his son and himself. Competition was tough just to get an interview. “My job search was harder than I ever imagined,” he said. “I felt invisible.” While hard for Chris to do, he asked for help. IOCP helped him with rent and gas so he could keep looking for work and helped him update his resumé.

Chris took odd jobs to get by. On the last day of a temporary job, Chris saw an ad for a job in his field. He applied for it, was interviewed and hired. Chris is thrilled to be working again, and grateful for the help received at a critical time in his life. He explained, “If IOCP didn’t exist, I’d be homeless.”

Housing

Elizabeth struggled to earn enough money while attending college. She left school, began full-time employment, and got married. She became pregnant about the time her husband was laid off from his job. The financial stress strained their relationship and they separated. Elizabeth and her son ended up living in a friend’s basement.

That was when Elizabeth heard about Project Success, an IOCP program that helps parents achieve long-term stability by setting employment, education and family goals. She has been in the program for a year and is excited about her future.

“It’s because of the housing help I’ve had from IOCP, I’ve been able to focus on my life goals. IOCP also helped me with food and other basic items. And while in Project Success, I’ve been able to pursue school, maintain my job, and work on other life goals that will give me long-term stability.”

Food Shelf

Laura was a stay-at-home mom raising her two children when she and her husband separated. Soon afterwards, her sister joined their household after she was diagnosed with cancer. Laura found herself without a paying job and responsible for a family of four. Her church referred her to IOCP. There, she used the food shelf and received rent assistance.

“I can’t tell you how the stress is off me, knowing I can feed my kids,” she said. “Without IOCP, I couldn’t have stayed in my house.”

Laura has her master’s degree and works full time now. Even so, sometimes she needs a little help.

“I’m the new normal,” Laura said. “I used to donate to IOCP and my kids have participated in the Sleep Out. But we all face transitions, and IOCP has helped me give my kids stability, a routine, winter coats, and food on the table. IOCP saved me.”

Child Care

Three years ago, Erika and her husband moved to Plymouth with their 4 children. They bought a house and were thrilled to have their 3 school-aged children in the Wayzata School District.

Still, money was tight. Certified as a community health worker, Erika wanted to pursue a degree in public health. This would allow her to increase her job opportunities. But the family couldn’t afford putting their toddler in child care.

When Erika came to IOCP for help, her case manager arranged for her to receive an early care and education scholarship for her daughter. Now Erika can pursue her education and continue working, knowing that her daughter is receiving a quality preschool experience.

Transportation

Jose, a determined dad going to college full-time and working part-time on weekends, is a few months away from realizing his dream of being an LPN. He drives his two kids to his mom’s house an hour away every weekend so he can work, typically for twelve-hour stretches.

Recently, it looked like Jose might lose his dream. His car broke down, which meant he couldn’t get to work or school. “Fortunately, IOCP helped me with the repairs,” he said.

“If it wasn’t for IOCP’s help, I wouldn’t have been able to stay in school and work at the same time,” he added. Today, Jose is well on his way to achieving his dream, and a brighter, more stable future for his family.