Meet Caroline! 

Caroline and her three children were living with extended family prior to enrolling at Open Hearts Place, where they sought additional stability and support while working toward long-term goals.

During her time in the program, Caroline focused on strengthening her family’s future through financial growth, community engagement, and personal development. Her children developed strong interests in extracurricular activities, particularly basketball, and Open Hearts Place assisted with program participation, equipment, and related expenses. They went on to become members of competitive championship teams, demonstrating confidence, teamwork, and personal growth.

Caroline actively participated in numerous enrichment opportunities offered through the program, including community events at the Morganton CoMMA, credit-building initiatives, financial management courses, and family engagement activities.

Through dedication and consistent progress, Caroline significantly strengthened her financial stability. During her participation, she increased her credit score by nearly 100 points and achieved a wage increase of more than $7 per hour. She also earned over $800 in incentive funds for meeting program milestones and completed a first-time homebuyers course. With support from Open Hearts Place’s savings program, Caroline successfully saved more than $8,000 toward moving expenses and a future home purchase.

In early 2025, Caroline was approved for a Habitat for Humanity home and completed her required sweat-equity hours. She and her family moved into their completed home in the summer of 2026, becoming the first graduate of Open Hearts Place’s program.

Caroline’s journey reflects meaningful transformation for both herself and her children. Today, her family approaches financial planning, goal setting, and long-term stability with renewed confidence—demonstrating that breaking cycles of generational poverty is possible through commitment, opportunity, and community support.