22 Sep Celebrating a graduation

When Jocelyn’s family left Hope Forest for their own apartment in Ambler a few weeks ago, she was thrilled–she wanted to stay local, so that her kids would not have to change schools. It was the happy ending to a years-long story.

Jocelyn entered the Interfaith Hospitality Network in 2017 with her 4-year-old son and 2-year-old daughter. She was a single mom, and new to Pennsylvania. She was 22 years old, and she had nowhere to go.

With the security of a safe haven for her family, Jocelyn was able to focus on the future. She found work, secured child care, and learned to drive. She also connected with Valley Youth House, and the additional support they provided allowed her to move into our permanent supportive housing program at Hope Forest.

Jocelyn’s next step was enrollment at Montgomery County Community College to study psychology, where she made the dean’s list while working as a peer mentor and hosting a campus radio show. She did well in school, finishing with all A’s and B’s, and was accepted for transfer to several colleges. In January she enrolled at Temple University. She joined the Youth Action Board for Montgomery County in April. She’s also an active member of ASEZ, a worldwide group of university student volunteers from the Church of God that work on environmental issues.

Jocelyn…we have been privileged to watch you and your children grow over the past three years. As with all of our graduates, we may have provided the support, but you did the hard work to become independent. We can’t wait to see what else you achieve!