A Milestone Moment: Tanya Graduates from the Co-op

Care Center Friend Tanya just celebrated a big milestone – she graduated from the Grace Care Center Co-op!

This graduation marks real change. Through the Co-op, Tanya has achieved financial stability, built a foundation for independence, and is stepping confidently into the next chapter of her life.

The Grace Care Center Co-op is a cooperative program for Care Center families who want to go deeper. It gives participants one-on-one support to navigate life’s challenges and break down barriers that can feel impossible to overcome. 

Participants follow a clear, step-by-step path that can include building savings, paying down debt, accessing employment support, getting legal help when needed, connecting to other community resources, and more. Each journey is tailored to every Care Center Friend and their unique needs. 

Over the past year and a half, Tanya has met monthly with volunteer coaches Matt and Bill. They guided her through her milestones, encouraged her through setbacks, and celebrated her progress at every step.

“Through the fire and the flame, Tanya’s character has stood strong,” Matt says. Bill adds, “I don’t think I’ve met anyone who spends less and saves more than she does. She is going to do so well on her own.”

Tanya has faced several big challenges recently, and she has been glad to have our Care Center community behind her. She has friends who support her, but she still needed help tackling some of life’s biggest roadblocks – including finding a reliable car to get to work. 

“My friends provided a lot of emotional support, but at some point I realized I needed more support,” Tanya shares. “I had so many questions with paperwork and then my car died.”

Grace Care Center helped Tanya buy a car with a zero-interest loan, which she calls a blessing. That car opened the door to working downtown in Indianapolis, where Tanya held several part-time jobs before securing a full-time position. She now teaches third and fourth grades at a Catholic school, a job she loves.

“God is helping me, and I’m so grateful for all the support I received,” Tanya says. “I’m happy to graduate and open this spot for someone else.”

Pastor Jed Gaffron, who walked alongside Tanya throughout her Co-op journey, says, “It has been a blessing to watch her grow. She faced fears, tackled challenges with grace, and gained confidence step by step. We are very proud of her.”

The Co-op provides more than financial stability. It builds independence, resilience, and community. Volunteers like Matt and Bill give families guidance and encouragement every month. Tanya used that support to overcome obstacles, achieve her goals, and create a life she can sustain and grow.

Every week, the Co-op helps nearly 100 individuals navigate challenges, break down barriers, and move toward stability. It takes a lot from dedicated volunteers like Matt and Bill to walk alongside them, month after month, offering guidance, encouragement, and practical support. 

But it works. Families gain independence, confidence, and hope. They are breaking free from poverty and building lives full of possibility.