thrivelightsFaced with unstable income and housing, a North Carolina family used Thrive Lights to focus on budgeting and education. With steady progress, they are now closer than ever to owning their own home.
Building Toward a Home in North Carolina
A mother in North Carolina was working in a job that left little time for family or education. Her husband struggled to find stable employment, and the family’s income was uncertain. When they joined the Telamon program, it offered support not only for their son but for the entire family.
Living with Uncertainty
Without stable income and reliable childcare, the family moved in with relatives. During their first Thrive Lights (locally called Aspire) assessment, the indicators for income and budgeting were both yellow. The mother described feeling a deep yearning for a home of her own, but her circumstances made that dream feel out of reach.
Taking Control
Together with their Family Service Specialist, the family began working through their priorities. Using the Thrive Lights results, they decided to focus on budgeting first. They created a budget plan that shifted spending away from shopping and eating out toward saving for long-term goals.
At the same time, the father applied for work in construction while the mother enrolled in school to pursue an associate degree. With the support of the Homebased program, the family also began building their credit.
Closer to Their Dream
Little by little, their situation began to improve. With better income, a stronger budget, and consistent saving, the family could finally see the possibility of achieving their dream of owning a home. The mother is now continuing her education, moving from her associate degree toward a bachelor’s degree.
Reflecting on their journey, she shared words that capture her family’s determination:
“You have never failed until you stop trying.”
Strength for the Future
For this family, Thrive Lights created the space to identify priorities, commit to achievable goals, and follow through step by step. The process helped them see that progress was possible and that they had the ability to create change.
Through Telamon, families in North Carolina gain access to resources, encouragement, and practical support that bring their Thrive Lights goals to life.
About Telamon | TRC
Telamon | TRC empowers families and disrupts the cycle of poverty by helping individuals build educational foundations, gain career skills, strengthen financial management, and secure affordable housing. With programs across multiple states, including Head Start early childhood education, workforce and career training, and housing and financial empowerment, Telamon partners with communities to create opportunities for families to thrive and build lasting legacies of success and well-being.