The Audubon Area Community Services provided holistic case management through their Choices program. L. enrolled in the Choices program in 2003 where she worked on her educational goals and was provided resources to assist her while working a part-time job and attending school. L. received assistance with household items, furniture, food, and utility assistance while attending school. Audubon Area Community Service’s case manager advocated for L. with the Ready to Work Program at the local community college to work out a schedule with L. to fulfill her work obligation by working 20 hours a week at the Audubon Area Community Service’s Community Service Block Grant office around her college schedule. On May 15, 2006, L. graduated with an Associate in Applied Science. She has a full-time job and has gone from making minimum wage to $11.00 an hour and has been cleared for employment with the United States Postal Service where her entry-level wages will be $15.17 an hour. However, L. is not finished. She is still attending college working toward a Bachelor’s Degree with a double major in Criminology and Social Work. She has even inspired her daughter who plans to attend college in the fall. A recent letter L. wrote to the Audubon Area Community Service’s case manager said, “I want to thank you again for all of your support. You are truly a kind and inspirational person. The monetary assistance was very useful but the personal attention, caring words, and attentive ear to daily problems are just as important in helping customers achieve their goals. This is what a person can expect when they enroll in the Choices program.”

The Choices program recognizes it is the client’s dedication, perseverance, courage and strength that lead them to self-sufficiency. This program is just an instrument to guide them there.