Jasmine Artis:
Rising Above Any Challenge to Support Her Family
For single mom Jasmine Artis, caring for her five children was a daily struggle. As is the case for so many families across Virginia, a long-range plan for a brighter and more secure future seemed overwhelming. Although she had recently secured housing for her family, Jasmine was searching for employment, had no bank account or driver’s license, and was finding it challenging to achieve those things. Her life changed dramatically, however, when another parent referred her for The Improvement Association’s Whole Family Approach Project in 2020.
She reflects on her first impressions of the project, “Everybody was so warm and kind to me. They convinced me that they really wanted to help me. I could hardly believe it because from the time I was a teen, I only believed that people did nice things for me when they wanted something in return.” As part of the Whole Family project, Jasmine was eager to learn and be mentored towards a better life for her and her children. "I just wasn’t happy with myself. My coach, along with the social worker, helped me to gain confidence in myself again. They gave me positive reinforcements, incentives and praised me for making efforts to better myself.”
Jasmine embraced the opportunity and enthusiastically participated in budgeting and credit repair classes, generational wealth-building seminars, educational enhancement workshops, and family and individual counseling. She enrolled in a high school diploma program, found a job, and opened bank accounts. Eventually Jasmine realized the long hours required by her new position did not allow her to be there enough for her children. "My coach helped me to update my resume and I remarketed myself for a new position. Within about eight weeks, I was able to land a job at more than $42,000 a year!!! . . . I’m able to be at home with my children every evening!” she exclaims.
One of her final obstacles to success was transportation. Although the program had helped Jasmine utilize services to get to and from work, she knew in order to be truly independent she would need the ability to drive herself. "My coach told me that if I got my driver's license, the agency would help me to get a vehicle." After fulfilling her promise and getting her license, The Improvement Association had a big surprise for Jasmine. They were thrilled to be able to present her with a car, complete with a gigantic red bow! "Oh my God. I could not believe my eyes," she remembers. "This was one of the best days of my life."
For Jasmine, the Whole Family Project was a life changer for her and her children. “My life is whole now and I must keep paving the way for my children.” She adds, “My coach NEVER gave up on me. When I didn’t have a plan, she helped me to get one. When I had no goals for myself, she helped me to seek what was important in my life. They built me past my fears, (my history of) foster care and being a stressed out and overwhelmed mom. I am finally a whole person and so will my children be, too.”
Rising Above Any Challenge to Support Her Family
For single mom Jasmine Artis, caring for her five children was a daily struggle. As is the case for so many families across Virginia, a long-range plan for a brighter and more secure future seemed overwhelming. Although she had recently secured housing for her family, Jasmine was searching for employment, had no bank account or driver’s license, and was finding it challenging to achieve those things. Her life changed dramatically, however, when another parent referred her for The Improvement Association’s Whole Family Approach Project in 2020.
She reflects on her first impressions of the project, “Everybody was so warm and kind to me. They convinced me that they really wanted to help me. I could hardly believe it because from the time I was a teen, I only believed that people did nice things for me when they wanted something in return.” As part of the Whole Family project, Jasmine was eager to learn and be mentored towards a better life for her and her children. "I just wasn’t happy with myself. My coach, along with the social worker, helped me to gain confidence in myself again. They gave me positive reinforcements, incentives and praised me for making efforts to better myself.”
Jasmine embraced the opportunity and enthusiastically participated in budgeting and credit repair classes, generational wealth-building seminars, educational enhancement workshops, and family and individual counseling. She enrolled in a high school diploma program, found a job, and opened bank accounts. Eventually Jasmine realized the long hours required by her new position did not allow her to be there enough for her children. "My coach helped me to update my resume and I remarketed myself for a new position. Within about eight weeks, I was able to land a job at more than $42,000 a year!!! . . . I’m able to be at home with my children every evening!” she exclaims.
One of her final obstacles to success was transportation. Although the program had helped Jasmine utilize services to get to and from work, she knew in order to be truly independent she would need the ability to drive herself. "My coach told me that if I got my driver's license, the agency would help me to get a vehicle." After fulfilling her promise and getting her license, The Improvement Association had a big surprise for Jasmine. They were thrilled to be able to present her with a car, complete with a gigantic red bow! "Oh my God. I could not believe my eyes," she remembers. "This was one of the best days of my life."
For Jasmine, the Whole Family Project was a life changer for her and her children. “My life is whole now and I must keep paving the way for my children.” She adds, “My coach NEVER gave up on me. When I didn’t have a plan, she helped me to get one. When I had no goals for myself, she helped me to seek what was important in my life. They built me past my fears, (my history of) foster care and being a stressed out and overwhelmed mom. I am finally a whole person and so will my children be, too.”