Helping Families to Start Over:
The Family Self-Sufficiency Program

On June 14, HUD's Newark Field Office Director Diane Johnson offered closing remarks at the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program graduation of the East Orange Housing Authority. Through the program, a total of $85,000 has been placed in the escrow accounts of the five families that have graduated from the program. These accounts will be used to help provide a good starting point economically for each family that graduates from the program.

To help illustrate the program's purpose, the story of one of the graduates will be particularly helpful. Mrs. Eunice Singleton is a third generation public assistance recipient who joined the FSS program five years ago. Through participation in a welfare-to-work program, she gained employment. Sadly she then developed cancer and had to undergo chemotherapy and radiation treatment. This did not stop Mrs. Singleton however who proceeded to enroll in Rutgers University and graduated with a degree in Education. She has earned her teaching certificate, has purchased a car and bought a home through the housing authority's FSS program. Mrs. Singleton's daughter has also broken the cycle of welfare assistance, as she has also graduated from Rutgers.

Content Archived: March 07, 2011