Creating Stability for Her Young Family
Maria quietly balances the responsibilities of being a single mother, a full-time employee at a coffee shop, and a nursing student. Each morning, she prepares her son for school, reviews her coursework, and heads to her job before most of the community has started their day.
For Maria, pursuing a nursing degree is more than a personal goal, it’s a pathway to stability for her young family. But like many adult learners from the Lower Cape, the cost of tuition quickly became a barrier. Despite her careful planning and long hours, Maria found herself facing difficult choices between paying for classes and meeting basic household needs.
That’s when she turned to the Lower Cape Outreach Council for support. The organization’s local food pantry offered relief in her monthly food budget, while their financial assistance program offered critical funding to help cover a portion of Maria’s tuition. This assistance eased the immediate financial strain and allowed her to stay enrolled in school without interruption. More importantly, it gave her the space to focus – on her studies, her goals, and her son.
“Their support changed everything,” Maria shared. “It gave me the chance to keep going when I wasn’t sure I could make it.”
This spring, Maria completed her nursing degree and immediately secured a good-paying job in her new field. Her determination, combined with the generosity and community support she found at LCOC, has kept her moving toward a brighter future.
Maria continues to use the pantry each week to keep her grocery bill manageable and hopes to soon find time in her schedule to start volunteering at the organization. “Lower Cape Outreach has given me so much; I am excited for the opportunity to pay it forward!”
If you or someone you know is in need of assistance, LCOC may be able to help. Contact us at 508-240-0694 or email lcoc@lcoutreach.org.
In 2024, LCOC was able to provide $842,589 in Financial Assistance to nearly 1,000 households on the Lower and Outer Cape.
Donor support makes this all possible while strengthening the lives of so many.
