Amy's Story – A Journey Fueled by Resilience, Mentorship, and the Power of Opportunity
At just 16 years old, Amy was a teenager growing up in poverty, determined to change the course of her future. So when her high school announced a summer job opportunity through a HAPCAP-operated Employment Services program, she didn’t hesitate—she signed up, ready to work.
That decision was the first step in a path Amy would carve with courage and resolve.
Over the next few summers, Amy worked in a variety of roles—but her favorite was at Goodwill. More than just a paycheck, the program gave her tools that no one in her life had been able to offer: real-world skills and a belief in her own potential. She opened a bank account, created her first resume, and learned to manage money—practical skills that became stepping stones toward independence.
“I had never seen full-time working adults in my family and didn’t have anyone outside this program to teach me. HAPCAP gave me the tools I needed when no one else could.”
Amy didn’t stop there. Refusing to let her circumstances define her, she became a job coach herself—mentoring youth who, like her, were seeking a way forward. From 2017 to 2020, during her college years, she spent her summers investing in others, lifting as she climbed.
With savings from those early jobs, Amy attended Muskingum University, where she earned a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice, followed by a Master’s in Social Work from Ohio University. Today, she is a licensed social worker and mental health therapist—just steps away from her clinical license.
“Although I am far from wealthy, I don’t have to worry anymore about not having food or a place to sleep. That was not always the case. HAPCAP helped me build the life I have now.”
Amy is the first in her immediate family to graduate high school, the first to attend and finish college, and the first to work full-time without relying on public assistance. Her story is one of perseverance, purpose, and the deep impact of community-driven support.
Through every challenge and milestone, one mentor remained constant: Jace Jackson, her job coach and later her supervisor. Jace’s belief in her helped light the way—and Amy carries that light forward every day.
“She still inspires me to this day. She was a guiding light who helped me get on the right path.”
Amy’s journey is why Community Action exists. It reminds us that investing in people doesn't just change lives—it creates ripple effects for generations. At HAPCAP, we’re proud to stand beside individuals like Amy, who turn opportunity into transformation.
