From Hardship to Hope 

In 2019, Lois made the courageous decision to return to her home state of California after leaving an abusive relationship. She had been a stay-at-home mother, financially dependent on her husband, with no credit history and no recent work experience. When she left, she faced homelessness with her two young children and had to start over completely. 

When Lois was connected to LifeSTEPS’ Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program, everything began to change. The FSS Program is an eight-year voluntary initiative designed to help families in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program achieve true economic independence. Through one-on-one case management, financial education, and the powerful incentive of escrow savings, participants are given the tools to build stability, increase income, and reduce dependence on public assistance. 

Working with her LifeSTEPS FSS Case Manager, Tan, Lois set out to rebuild her life one goal at a time. Together, they identified priorities—reliable employment, rebuilding credit, creating a budget, and saving for the future. As Lois began working as a county intern through the CalWORKs PWEX Program, her income slowly increased. Under the FSS model, those increases didn’t just mean higher rent, they also meant growth in her escrow savings account, where a portion of her rent was matched and saved for her future. 

Through LifeSTEPS, Lois received much more than case management. She gained a network of support, encouragement, and accountability. Tan shared job leads, training opportunities, and information about financial literacy workshops and homebuyer readiness programs. Each resource became another step forward in Lois’s journey toward independence. 

Rebuilding her life took resilience. Finding safe housing, balancing work and parenting, and learning to manage finances for the first time were major challenges. But LifeSTEPS’ structure and guidance helped her turn small successes into lasting progress. She learned to budget, save consistently, and think long-term skills that laid the foundation for real stability. 

Over five years in the FSS Program, Lois completely transformed her life. She increased her income, achieved a high credit score, and built meaningful savings for her retirement and future goals. Today, she feels confident pursuing financial opportunities and dreams of one day becoming a homeowner. 

“LifeSTEPS gave me the tools and encouragement I needed to rebuild my life from the ground up. When I started, I had no credit, no savings, and very little confidence. Today, I have a strong credit score, retirement savings, and the confidence to buy a home one day. The program not only helped me financially but also showed me that I could be independent, build a career, and plan for a stable future. I will carry the lessons I learned here for the rest of my life.” — Lois 

Lois’s story is just one of many that show how the Family Self-Sufficiency Program changes lives. On average, FSS graduates save over $6,000 in their escrow accounts, and many go on to purchase homes or achieve complete financial independence. With 435 participants currently enrolled, LifeSTEPS continues to empower families across California to move from dependence to self-sufficiency building confidence, stability, and hope for generations to come.  

Rebuilding Life, Reuniting Family 

When Austin lost his job, he faced one of the hardest battles of his life. As a devoted father of two children, ages fourteen and seven, he was fighting for custody while trying to find stable housing and rebuild his future. Despite the uncertainty, Austin’s determination never wavered. LifeSTEPS became a turning point in Austin’s journey. Through the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program, Austin gained the guidance, structure, and support he needed to rebuild his life with confidence and purpose.

The FSS Program is an eight-year voluntary initiative designed to help families in affordable housing achieve long-term stability and economic independence. With the support of a LifeSTEPS case manager, participants set personal and financial goals, whether that’s advancing in a career, improving credit, or preparing for homeownership. As their income grows, a portion of their increased rent is set aside in a special savings (escrow) account, creating a real financial safety net to support future goals. 

For Austin, that combination of coaching, accountability, and financial opportunity was life changing. Working alongside his LifeSTEPS case manager, he strengthened his finances, improved his credit, and mapped out a clear path toward homeownership. LifeSTEPS also helped him connect to career-building opportunities that aligned with his passion for helping others. 

With renewed focus, Austin earned a position at the Bill Wilson Center’s “Here for You” call center, where he provided support to individuals and families seeking shelter. His compassion and leadership quickly stood out, leading him into case management and outreach roles that helped even more youth and families in need. 

As his career advanced, so did his financial independence. Through the FSS Program’s savings incentive, Austin was able to build a financial foundation and see tangible progress toward his family’s dreams. 

Today, Austin has full custody of his two children and a thriving career with the Housing Authority, providing the stability and security his family once dreamed of. 

Austin’s story is one of courage, growth, and the transformative power of the Family Self-Sufficiency Program. With LifeSTEPS by his side, he turned hardship into hope and built a future filled with possibility for himself, his children, and the generations to come. 

 Click Here For More Information on the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program.