Brandy Holle is a lab technician at Parkview North in Fort Wayne; Terry Smith works at Kosciusko Community Hospital in insurance verification; Sarah Knight is a licensed practical nurse; and Angela Friend is a registered nurse who has her eye on becoming a nurse practitioner. Anita Mikel has secured an associates in business degree and is working toward a marketing degree.

All five are Ivy Tech graduates.

They juggled jobs, kids and classes for the last few years to reach their current goals.

This balancing act was strengthened with support from Combined Community Service's Project Independence program.

The young women, recognized for their accomplishments by CCS staff and board members Wednesday, praised the program and the help they received during trying times.

"I thank God for Project Independence," Smith said. "I'm probably CCS's veteran, I've gone to them since 1997.

"They provided support when I was done with everything. Then, I'd run to them and cry. They provided ways to set goals and to achieve them. I started college and completed the courses."

"They" are CCS staffers Tammy Vetor and Sabrina Phillips who also attended, along with the graduate's friends and families, the celebration at DePuy.

""It's a wonderful program," Vetor said. She's been a PI case worker for three and a half years. "Participants have to be 18-years-old, have children, meet the income requirements (125 percent of the poverty level) and want to participate.

PI members have to ready to be accountable, make their own decisions and have their own goals.

"Whenever I get fed up with so much going on, I fill out a goal sheet," Mikel said. "It helped me. I'm a much better person all the way around."

"the program is great. I don't know if I could've done it without them."

PI is funded with a federal CSBG block grant and United Way funding and has been a CCS program for 11 years. Funding pays for 36 families. CCS has 41 families in the program with a waiting list of others.

"We help hook them up with financial aid and community resources such as child care, housing a food stamps," Vetor said. "We're always here to listen, to encourage."

Vetor and Phillips also conduct regular workshops on financial responsibility, education, parenting and stress management.

"Everyone is so willing to give back to CCS. If we need anything they jump in and volunteer," Vetor said.

"This is like a family away from home," Holle said. I can call Tammy or Sabrina any time and get 24-hour backup."

"I worked in a factory and didn't like it. Angela (Friend) told be about the program," she said. "They are so great. Without them I wouldn't be here now."

CCS board member Bob Vitoux presented the five women with certificates of accomplishment.

"Clearly, what these ladies have accomplished through their personal determination and sacrifices should be an inspiration to all those single mothers wanting to make more of themselves, Vitoux said. "Not only am I extremely happy for them, but also tremendously proud to be part of an organization like Combined Community Services that offers a program like Project Independence.

"To have the program is only one step, however, as it takes having staff such as Tammy and Sabrina who are often the catalyst and inspiration for their clients to make the leap of faith that they can make more of themselves." [[In-content Ad]]