thrivelightsA single mother discovered that setting goals was the key to progress. Through her Life Map, she recognized both her struggles and her strengths — and inspired her children and Care Specialist along the way.
Finding Strength Through Goals in Indiana
In 2023, a single mother of two daughters enrolled in Head Start programs began her journey with Thrive Lights (locally called Aspire). Life as a single parent had not been easy, but she managed with a part-time job, social service assistance, and the steady support of friends and family. When she sat down to complete her first Life Map, she admitted she was not sure what she would discover.
Beginning the Journey
As the Family Services Specialist guided her through the process, the Life Map became more than just an assessment. It gave her the chance to see her life in full, highlighting not only the challenges she faced but also the resources she already had in place. For the first time, she could recognize her strengths alongside her struggles, creating a more balanced picture of her reality.
Seeing Possibilities
Reflecting on the experience, she spoke about the importance of setting goals.
“Every family must have a goal to improve and get better as life goes on,” she explained. She encouraged the Specialist never to accept it when families said they had no goals. With the right conversation, she believed, families would begin to see that they already carried many goals within them. Some might be immediate and small, others long-term, but all were steps toward progress.
For her, the Life Map was powerful precisely because it made those insights visible.
“The Life Map was a visual tool and allowed one to see not just the bad or workable items, but the good one has done and continues to do,” she said.
Through the process, she was reminded of her ability to take charge, to recognize her successes, and to build momentum for what came next.
Achieving Milestones
With this mindset, she continued setting goals for herself and her daughters. One of her dreams was to take them on a trip to Florida. She reached that milestone with her own earnings, proving to herself that focus and determination could carry her forward.
“Stick to the goal at hand, and you will do and make it.”
A Lasting Lesson
Her resilience and wisdom left a lasting impression on the Family Services Specialist. She reminded them that every family, in one way or another, experiences some form of poverty.
“In the eyes of the beholder on who is rich or poor.”
Her journey shows that progress is not only about overcoming challenges but also about recognizing strengths, setting goals, and finding the confidence to achieve them.
About Telamon | TRC
Telamon | TRC empowers families and disrupts the cycle of poverty by helping individuals build educational foundations, gain career skills, strengthen financial management, and secure affordable housing. With programs across multiple states, including Head Start early childhood education, workforce and career training, and housing and financial empowerment, Telamon partners with communities to create opportunities for families to thrive and build lasting legacies of success and well-being.