Brenda

After an accident left Brenda injured and jobless, she found herself living out of her car during the harsh winter. She turned to One22 for no-cost groceries from the Jackson Cupboard, which helped her get by during this tumultuous time. Determined to rebuild her life, Brenda eventually secured a job with employee housing. However, she struggled to afford both the first month’s rent and deposit before her first paycheck. Recognizing the stability this opportunity could offer, One22 assisted Brenda with half of the move-in costs through our First/Last/Deposit program. This support was life-changing, as it kept her from the struggles that come with being houseless. Despite ongoing financial challenges due to medical visits, Brenda remains optimistic and is planning for the future. She continues to use the Jackson Cupboard and recently participated in One22’s Holiday Gift Drive, finding stability and peace of mind along the way.

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.

Edgar

Edgar found himself in a particularly difficult period of his life last year. Working multiple part-time jobs took a toll on him and he explored every resource available to transition to a new career. Ultimately, he was able to find a new position while also discovering the work of One22 Resource Center. Seeking guidance on managing his finances during the job transition, Edgar reached out to our Client Services team. Initially hesitant to ask for assistance, he realized that rent support from One22 could provide a crucial bridge for him during this tenuous time. We provided him with two months of rent assistance, which made a significant impact on his ability to keep his apartment. A few months later, Edgar returned to us with a desire to give back. Despite limited resources, he had time and a passion for our food assistance program. Today he is a dedicated volunteer at the Jackson Cupboard, stocking our satellite cupboards and packing groceries for clients.

Daniela

Daniela, a receptionist at a local health care clinic, first connected with One22 through our Financial Education Series. Balancing the high cost of living with two young kids and many expenses to juggle, Daniela realized she needed to improve her financial stability. Through the series, she identified areas to cut expenses and began building an emergency fund. This led her to join a Lending Circle (through our partner Mission Asset Fund), where she pooled funds with others over nine months, boosting her savings and credit. In addition to her financial journey, Daniela expanded her professional skills by enrolling in One22’s Interpreter Training course, enhancing her ability to assist Spanish-speaking clients at her clinic. Her growth, both personally and professionally, has been inspiring, and her impact on the community is significant as she continues to build a brighter future for herself and her family.

Esperanza

Esperanza, Rafael and their five-year-old child have been living in Teton County for over five years. Since moving to Jackson, they have been living paycheck to paycheck, turning to One22 periodically for help with Youth Enrichment Scholarships. Despite working three jobs each, they still did not know how to save money nor have had the time to learn. This year, they found a way to fix this. Esperanza and Rafael attended every workshop we offered during our 2024 Spring Financial Empowerment Series. “At One22’s workshops we learned about flexible saving methods, about interest and how to properly manage credit card debt. The workshops gave us the push we needed and inspired us to believe in ourselves. If we wanted to learn more, we knew what to look for.” Using the financial tools they learned through One22, Esperanza and Rafael were able to become financially empowered to save and start their own business. Now they see the freedom that having savings can bring.

Stacy

“Juggling work and childcare is extremely expensive, what are we going to do?” This question weighed heavily on Stacy’s mind as she and her husband navigated the demands of balancing three part-time jobs and running a small business, all while raising two children. They know the importance of planning ahead and saving for extra childcare expenses over the summer, when their work demands are even greater. They were led to One22 after hearing about our collaboration with local organizations through Youth Enrichment Scholarships. For the last few summers, both kids have received scholarships and Stacy has shared that this opportunity has meant the world to her family. Stacy has expressed how grateful she is for her kids to go to these camps alongside their classmates, seeing them develop important social skills, build confidence and find their community.

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.

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.

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.