Voices of Success
Overcoming Barriers
Name: Ernestine Williams
Center: Bryan County Community Services
After the relationship with her younger children's father dissolved, Ms. Williams, a single mother of 7 relocated from Glennville to Pembroke. Since the family was so large, they were split up all over the city living with different family members. Ms. Williams was spending all of her money buying food and paying family members to let the children spend the night. At one point, the mother and 5 children were sleeping in her vehicle. A participant in Women's Empowerment Group referred Ms. Wiliams to the program. Ms. Williams inherited a mobile home from her deceased grandmother. Unfortunately there was extensive work to be done to the home. Although Ms. Williams was determined to perform the repairs, they were unable to be completed before school started and Ms. Williams was afraid she would not have a place for her children to call home and that DFCS would get involved and take her children. Her family Advocate referred her to the Weatherization program to help get work permits to begin repairs. Until the home could be repaired, the Family Advocate contacted the Claxton and Hinesville Housing Authorities to try to find Ms. Williams a rental. Ms. Williams received approval for a rental in Hinesville two weeks before school was scheduled to start. The Family Advocate arranged to have Ms. Williams belongings moved out of storage and moved to her new place. Things started to turn around for the better for Ms. Williams. Her oldest son completed the Youth Challenge program ans is waiting on assignment in the U.S. Army. Her second oldest son completed Job Corps and is working temporary jobs until he can find full-time employment. Ms. Williams has a safe and stable environment for her children. She has been able to secure transportation. Ms. Williams competed the Minority Business workshops held during Women's Empowerment in Pembroke and is now a carpenter and painter and able to utilize heavy equipment.
Center: Bryan County Community Services
After the relationship with her younger children's father dissolved, Ms. Williams, a single mother of 7 relocated from Glennville to Pembroke. Since the family was so large, they were split up all over the city living with different family members. Ms. Williams was spending all of her money buying food and paying family members to let the children spend the night. At one point, the mother and 5 children were sleeping in her vehicle. A participant in Women's Empowerment Group referred Ms. Wiliams to the program. Ms. Williams inherited a mobile home from her deceased grandmother. Unfortunately there was extensive work to be done to the home. Although Ms. Williams was determined to perform the repairs, they were unable to be completed before school started and Ms. Williams was afraid she would not have a place for her children to call home and that DFCS would get involved and take her children. Her family Advocate referred her to the Weatherization program to help get work permits to begin repairs. Until the home could be repaired, the Family Advocate contacted the Claxton and Hinesville Housing Authorities to try to find Ms. Williams a rental. Ms. Williams received approval for a rental in Hinesville two weeks before school was scheduled to start. The Family Advocate arranged to have Ms. Williams belongings moved out of storage and moved to her new place. Things started to turn around for the better for Ms. Williams. Her oldest son completed the Youth Challenge program ans is waiting on assignment in the U.S. Army. Her second oldest son completed Job Corps and is working temporary jobs until he can find full-time employment. Ms. Williams has a safe and stable environment for her children. She has been able to secure transportation. Ms. Williams competed the Minority Business workshops held during Women's Empowerment in Pembroke and is now a carpenter and painter and able to utilize heavy equipment.