Missoula Job Service, Housing Authority team up to help people toward economic independence

For Tammie Sommers, a single mother of three, paying for rent, food and child care after a difficult divorce seemed downright impossible at times, even with the help of the Missoula Housing Authority.

"Being able to improve my life is showing my family and friends what I can do for myself and my kids," Sommers said. "My New Year’s resolution was to find my worth as a mother and as a friend and as a daughter."

Sommers, 39, will get some help realizing that resolution, thanks to a $68,000 grant to the Housing Authority for a program that will help lead public housing residents like Sommers toward economic independence.

The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded the grant through its Public Housing Family Self-Sufficiency Program. The program enables Missoula public housing authorities to hire program coordinators who will work directly with residents to connect them with local education and job opportunities.

By AJ MAZZOLINI of the Missoulian

Full Story: http://missoulian.com/news/local/article_e9570214-0581-11df-98aa-001cc4c03286.html