Shelley

Shelley is a single mom with stable, affordable housing and a full-time job with benefits. In order to maintain that stability Shelley needs afterschool and summer care for her elementary-aged son. One22 helped her enroll him in programs with assistance from their Youth Enrichment Scholarship program. By applying early, Shelley secured four weeks of camp for her son and had more time to save for her portion of the costs. However, she struggled to come up with the remaining portion as she had a tight budget. One22’s Financial Empowerment series, which focuses on budgeting, savings, credit and debt and managing expenses, gave her confidence in managing her finances and created a connection with our staff for future support – knowing she can talk to staff at One22 not only about support like scholarships but also the often intimidating topic of personal finances.

Celia

For years, Celia served as an unofficial interpreter, bridging the language divide for friends and family. In October 2022, Celia embarked on a life-changing path by enrolling in The Community Interpreter training program offered by One22. Celia soon realized that interpretation was more than a hobby—it was a career opportunity with purpose. She reached out to fellow interpreters in the community and joined the interpreter list for the Teton County School District. Celia began interpreting math curriculum for elementary school parents with compassionate guidance, opening the door for understanding, and ensuring that every parent’s questions were answered and that the curriculum was fully comprehended. This experience created a bridge built with empathy and knowledge. One22 aims to empower individuals like Celia to be catalysts for change. Together, we can break down language barriers, nurturing a community where every voice is heard, understood, and celebrated.

Anna

Anna is a young professional who works for a local nonprofit. Last year, after coming up short of finding housing, she moved into a house in Teton Valley, Idaho with 12 other people. Her living situation was taking a toll and affecting her mental health. Anna was on the search for a better living situation and finally found housing in Jackson. Unfortunately, because Anna had just made a first/last/deposit payment on the house in Idaho, she didn’t have the money to make the move. She came to One22 and received assistance with her first/last/deposit payment.

Laura

Laura has lived in Jackson for several years and makes up a critical component of our workforce as a teacher in the local school district. After experiencing intimate partner violence—something more prevalent in our community than most people realize—she reached out to Community Safety Network (CSN) for support. CSN provided short-term emergency housing and safety planning, allowing Laura to be safe, access community resources like One22 and plan a secure and independent life for herself and her child. At the end of her stay at CSN, Laura was able to find a new place to live with reasonable rent and ample space for her family. Unfortunately, Laura hit another roadblock: the move-in costs. Paying the up front requirements was just outside the reach of her budget. With the support of One22’s First/Last/Deposit program, Laura found the financial cushion she needed and was able to secure safe, sustainable long-term housing.

Ed

The first time Ed stopped by the Jackson Cupboard, he was reluctant to accept food because he didn’t want to take away from someone who needed it more than he did. Ed lives with significant physical disabilities and has dealt with overwhelming medical debt for a long time. The cupboard team assured him that there was plenty of food to go around and sent Ed home with a bag of fresh fruits and vegetables. Ed says access to a wide variety of quality foods has been deeply impactful to his well-being. Juggling a scant grocery budget, physical challenges and accumulated stress from years of health and financial setbacks, Ed always wanted a healthier diet but believed it was out of reach for him. Even if he could afford fresh food, his mobility issues greatly complicate every step in the process – tasks like placing an online order, carrying groceries into his apartment and preparing a meal. As Ed continues to manage his medical issues, One22 Resource Center is improving his quality of life through nourishing food offered with respect and attentive care.

Mark

Mark first came to One22 in March 2020. He and his wife had a two-year-old and were expecting a newborn in just a few weeks. Like many others, everything was upended when Mark was suddenly laid off. One22’s Rent Assistance program allowed them to focus on maintaining a secure household for their growing family. Since then, Mark and his wife have worked to stay on a budget and build emergency savings. They turn to the Jackson Cupboard for help with food when things are tight. Mark tells us how much they appreciate the variety of food choices for their kids’ big appetites!

Sarah

Sarah and her two children moved here after an out-of-state teaching opportunity ended. An educator, Sarah started working right away as a substitute teacher while looking for more sustainable employment. Not long after the family settled into their new community, Sarah began to realize their budget didn’t pencil out. They have adequate housing, but the rent is too high for her wages as a substitute, and they have to find other accommodations for part of the summer when the landlords come for vacation and use the house. Once her savings ran dry and she started falling behind on her rent, Sarah reached out to One22  for assistance. When she met with a Client Services Specialist, Sarah learned she was eligible for rent assistance, and she applied for scholarships to help offset the expenses of the kids’ activities. The family orders groceries through the Jackson Cupboard, which saves hundreds each month in food expenses. Sarah works every day to find affordable, secure housing and employment with health benefits and a higher salary. While Sarah takes the necessary steps to improve her situation, One22 continues to provide support: short-term rent assistance; no-cost groceries through the Jackson Cupboard; and scholarship support to keep her children engaged in community activities. 

Natalie

Natalie, a single mother with two young children, has consistent, stable employment. She also supplements her income by caring for friends’ children during evenings and weekends. And even after that, rent and her own childcare costs make it difficult for Natalie to make ends meet each month. Natalie’s primary language is Spanish. She has built a good relationship with her landlord, but sometimes their language barrier gets in the way of important communication. Recently her rent bill had an erroneous charge, an added expense she could not afford. She paid it for fear of making waves and jeopardizing her housing. When the mistaken charge appeared again the following month, Natalie reached out to One22 for help. Natalie’s landlord was also concerned about their language barrier and was relieved when One22’s interpreter facilitated a conversation. They cleared up the billing confusion, and now the landlord is aware of the services One22 offers to help tenants like Natalie. One22 stepped in to help resolve a misunderstanding that could have easily mushroomed into a much bigger problem.