The Power of Belief: One Woman’s Path to Stability and Self-Worth

At 59, Jacqueline was ready for a new chapter, but she faced a job market that often overlooks older workers. She was hindered by the perception that she might not have the skillset needed to succeed in a world where technology advances rapidly. A recent graduate of FSCJ with an Associate of Arts degree, she was eager to build a brighter future despite the obstacles in her way.

After a lifetime devoted to family and working to simply making ends meet, Jacqueline carried a quiet but persistent dream: to achieve financial stability and remain a productive worker in an ever-changing world. Although employed, her confidence would often waver. She questioned whether she could succeed given her age and the ever changing technological landscape. Despite her doubts and limited resources, Jacqueline’s determination never wavered; she stayed open, hopeful, and ready to prove herself.

Her breakthrough came during a conversation with a co-worker who shared how Lutheran Social Services of Northeast Florida’s Financial Opportunity Center® (FOC) Steps 2 Success program had helped him rebuild his life at a low point - boosting his net worth to achieve financial stability, improving his credit score to secure a low-interest car loan, and teaching him how to budget and save effectively. His story sparked hope and inspired Jacqueline to take the first steps toward her own financial stability.

Eager to change her trajectory, Jacqueline reached out to Steps 2 Success, a decision that would transform her life. The program met her where she was, adapting to her schedule so she could participate without risking her job during her probationary period. From the very first coaching session, a long-abandoned dream resurfaced: owning a home. “I never thought I could purchase a home, I had given up on that,” Jacqueline shared. “But my coach showed me a pathway I believed in.”

Jacqueline wasn’t seeking handouts; she needed information, guidance, encouragement, and someone who believed in her potential. With the support of wraparound services and strengths-based coaching, she confronted her debt head-on, rebuilt her credit, and began saving diligently. In just ten months, her credit score increased by 5.5%, her debt-to-income ratio dropped by 8%, and she qualified for a home loan through Habitat for Humanity of Jacksonville.

In September 2024, Jacqueline closed on her first home, a milestone she once thought impossible. As a new homeowner, Jacqueline learned crucial skills through Steps 2 Success and her coach’s guidance that helped her overcome rising costs and financial challenges. By building resilience, improving problem-solving, and setting clear career goals, she secured extra work hours and earned a 5% raise - strengthening her financial stability and confidence.

Jacqueline’s story mirrors that of countless individuals who have spent years caring for others while putting their own dreams on hold. Now, at 61, she’s finally turning that care inward, focusing on herself and her future. She doesn’t see time running out; she sees new opportunities opening ahead.

Reflecting on her journey, Jacqueline says, “I’ve overcome challenges that would break most people, raised successful children, secured employment despite age barriers, and exceeded my work goals. I bought a home that will benefit my family, and I’m considering returning to school to finish my bachelor’s in Human Services. It’s been a lot to balance, but I’m learning to take things as they come, focus on what matters, and keep growing. I don’t have to rush, I’m pacing myself.”

With renewed clarity and determination, Jacqueline now sees her dreams as achievable next steps. “I’m not where I started and I’m not done yet.”

Her story shows what’s possible when resilience meets opportunity, and when people receive respect, trust, and personalized support. Today, Jacqueline is a homeowner, valued employee, and a beacon of hope, reminding us that investing in people builds more than financial stability - it builds legacies of dignity, empowerment, and lasting change.

Steps 2 Success