Family Self-Sufficiency Program

ACHIEVEability works to permanently break generational cycles of poverty for families in the West Philadelphia neighborhoods of Haddington and Cobbs Creek. Serving over 3,000 individuals each year, ACHIEVEability provides access to higher education, affordable housing, supportive services, economic development and accountability.

The Family Self-Sufficiency Program provides single mothers and low-income families with the necessary resources to pursue higher education as a pathway to self-sufficiency. This model includes a focus on accountability and the recognition of parents as role models. In FY22, the program served 127 households with 292 children. Of those families, 92% were connected to safe, permanent housing; 55% increased their annual earned income; and 100% of school-aged children persisted in school.

A family exiting the program is considered self-sufficient when a parent earns a post-secondary degree, earns a living wage and scores at a Safe or Thriving level on the Self-Sufficiency Matrix.

ACHIEVEability will receive a $75,000 grant from the Aura Cacia Positive Change Project in 2024 to help support the Family Self-Sufficiency Program and facilitate socioeconomic success for West Philadelphia families.