{"id":35,"date":"2024-03-14T16:09:13","date_gmt":"2024-03-14T16:09:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/74.208.234.152\/?page_id=35"},"modified":"2025-04-28T17:11:46","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T17:11:46","slug":"stories-news","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/options-network.org\/index.php\/stories-news\/","title":{"rendered":"STORIES & NEWS"},"content":{"rendered":"

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YOUNG ADULTS AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE \u00a0 03.12.25<\/span>\u00a0 The Options Network is proud to help young people as they transition out of the foster care system by partnering with Madi’s Movement, a phenomenal agency that supports foster teens. Recently, TON has been the ability to provide after-school tuition costs in order for Mom, Tori* to complete a medical assistant program and move towards gaining full-time employment. Assistance to others as they leave the program has included funding towards rent, TECO electric assistance, and providing tuition for specific courses and certifications. TON can assist in ways that empower these young adults as they begin their journeys to independence!<\/h6>\n
2024 HURRICANES \u00a0 01.30.2025.<\/span> \u00a0 Angela* was a homeowner and self-sufficient prior to the back-to back hurricanes that hit this area of Florida. Upon leaving local hurricane shelters, due to tree issues, she was not able to return to her home (FEMA does not assist with tree removal.)\u00a0 and ended up in a local homeless shelter. Angela reached out to The Options Network requesting assistance in early January. As a starting point, TON replaced her non-working cell pone and provided service. She is lucky to have a vehicle, but it was in need of repairs before it could be safely driven to job interview and other appointments. By providing assistance with auto repairs, including new tires and funds for insurance, Angela is able to use her car to find full-time employment.<\/h6>\n
SOMETIMES ALL IT TAKE TO HELP IS BY PROVIDING TWO WHEELS\u00a0 01.2.2025.<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0A year ago, Cindy* had a home and a job. Due to unforeseen circumstances, our client is now seeking employment but has no form of transportation. The Options Network, in the interim, provided an electric scooter to help with job searching, interviews, and local errands.<\/span><\/span><\/h6>\n
STUDENT WHO WAS USING CAMPUS COMPUTER\u00a0 NEEDED HER OWN LAPTOP 12.07.24<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0Being able to complete and save coursework when it best fits her schedule is helping to ensure Gabby’s* college success!<\/span><\/span><\/h6>\n
PROVIDING TOOLS FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKER 12.03<\/span>.24\u00a0 <\/span>Bob* f<\/span>ound work but had to have his own tools in order to accept the job. The Options Network provided the funds for him to procure the tools he needed get started.<\/span><\/span><\/h6>\n
BUYING A LAPTOP FOR STUDENT AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE IN ORDER TO BEGIN COLLEGE COURSES 11.08<\/span>.24\u00a0 The Options Network helped Bailey*, a young mom with a newborn son, by providing the new uniforms she need to begin her new career with the Florida Department of Health.<\/span><\/span><\/h6>\n
PAYING FOR BABYSITTING\/CHILDCARE SERVICES FOR JILL*, A YOUNG MOM WHO HAS AGED OUT OF FOSTER CARE 07.05.24\u00a0 <\/span>For a young person aging out of foster care, all it may take for her to continue her education is to provide a laptop\u00a0 or perhaps assist with paying childcare\/babysitting expenses. The Options Network collaborates with Madi’s Movement, a wonderful local non-profit that helps foster teens achieve independence and success.<\/h6>\n
PROVIDING 3 SETS OF NEW SCRUBS FOR FULL-TIME MEDICAL POSITION 05.29.24\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/h6>\n
PAYING FEES FOR YOUNG WOMAN TO OBTAIN NEW PARA JOB WITH PASCO COUNTY SCHOOLS<\/span> 10.13.23\u00a0 This is through collaboration with One Community Now<\/span>.<\/span><\/h6>\n
HE WORKED HARD TO START HIS OWN BUSINESS\u00a0 02.01.23\u00a0 <\/span>In coordination with a well-known local organization, Phillip* worked hard to successfully complete vocational rehab training. He had also developed a substantial network of support through years of working various jobs, but, do to a physical impairment, finding and maintaining full-time employment has been difficult.\u00a0 But Phillip has a strong entrepreneurial\u00a0 spirit and work ethic.\u00a0 Gaining guiding support from a mentor in the banking industry to assist with financial advice, budget management, and account set-up, Phillip was ready to jump on starting his own business.\u00a0 All he needed was a little help in obtaining start-up supplies.\u00a0 With help from The Options Network, Phillip now owns and is growing his own business in the West Pasco area. As demand of his service increases, he looks forward to hiring additional employees. Good luck, Phillip! The Options Network is excited to see how your enterprise grows in the coming months!\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/h6>\n
*not real name<\/h6>\n
HELPING OUT WITH SOME WHEELS! 10.6.22<\/span><\/h6>\n

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A RECENT ASSIST 7.1.22<\/span><\/h6>\n

A handyman and self-described “remodeler” of kitchens and bathrooms, Bill*,\u00a0 had to sell all his personal tools and equipment in order to move to our area. A capable and independent Veteran seeking to get back to self-sufficiency, Bill is readily procuring work.\u00a0 \u00a0 However, each job he gets requires renting the tools necessary to complete the room modifications.\u00a0 Bill had received some short-term rental assistance but that wouldn’t last for long. He was worried that he would end up “on the streets.”<\/p>\n

The Options Network was contacted and asked to assist with procuring major power tools for Bill.\u00a0 He would no longer have to pay a large bill for tools loaned to him.\u00a0 Now those financial resources could be used to pay his monthly housing rent in full. Yes!\u00a0 We hope that The Options Network provided exactly what Bill needed to grow his customer base. We wish this Veteran the best of luck in his entrepreneurial endeavors.<\/p>\n

*not real name<\/p>\n

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