Housing Authority, City of Fort Myers celebrates Family Self-Sufficiency and Jobs Plus participants

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Dec. 13, 2024 - PRLog -- The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers (HACFM) recently hosted a gala to celebrate its Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program graduates and its Jobs Plus program participants.

Held Dec. 5 at the Collaboratory, attendees were treated to an evening of celebration that included dinner, prize drawings and the recognition ceremony. During the event, individuals who successfully completed the FSS program and those who are actively participating in the Jobs Plus program were recognized with plaques, ribbons and certificates to commemorate their accomplishments.

The FSS graduation recognized 26 individuals who met all of the requirements to successfully complete the program. The Housing Authority's FSS program is a multi-year program designed to help residents increase their earnings and build assets and financial capability. Case managers will assist residents in accessing employment, educational, financial and health resources.

"I am so excited for all of my participants," said Ana Soria, director of community supportive services for the Housing Authority. "I graduated from the FSS program many years ago, so this is a full-circle moment for me. I used these services myself and am now offering them to other residents."

The ceremony also recognized the accomplishments of the 66 participants of the the Jobs Plus initiative. This initiative supports Housing Authority residents living in the Renaissance Preserve and Horizons Apartment communities with employment needs. Jobs Plus works one on one with residents to guide them through the employment process and provides services designed to support job readiness and retention.

The evening ended with attendees sharing their stories and encouraging words for other Housing Authority residents. Multiple expressed their gratitude for the Housing Authority employees who helped them along the way and made such a great impact on their future.

"This celebration means a lot to me because it means I achieved a milestone," said Anisha Henderson, one of the Jobs Plus participants. "I've had to overcome a lot of obstacles in my life that I once thought I couldn't, and this recognition means just that for me – that I was able to overcome another obstacle."

To learn more about its programs, visit HACFM.org (https://www.hacfm.org/) or call 239-344-3220.

About the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers

The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Myers serves as a catalyst for increasing access to safe, stable and sustainable housing and to help develop, preserve and revitalize communities through affordable rental housing. For more information, visit www.HACFM.org or call 239-344-3220.