With help, mother builds life on hopes

Cynthia Patterson is trying to recover from a layoff.

Instead of searching for employment, Patterson intends to become her own boss: She wants to open a daycare center out of her home.

"It's something I want to do," said the single mother of three, ages 8, 12 and 13. "It'll help me be home when my kids are home."

"She's one step away from getting her license," said Sharon Schatz, case manager at Pikes Peak Community Action Agency, one of 12 local organizations that benefits from The Gazette/El Pomar Foundation's Empty Stocking Fund. Patterson contacted PPCAA in March, "after much prayer" and encouragement from her pastor and fellow church members.

"This year of being laid off was really rough for me," she said. "I was discouraged and needed a new direction. Sharon has taken me under her wing since that day."

"She was actually living off child support that was steadily decreasing," Schatz said. Patterson was awarded $410 per month in child support, which "for three children is not very much," Patterson said, but she hasn't even gotten that much.

Schatz first attended to Patterson's emergency needs - food and gas vouchers - then helped her devise a plan to open a day-care center. Through the Transitions to Independence Program, PPCAA helped Patterson with required first aid classes and paid licensing application fees, as well as provided physicals for the family.

Patterson hopes to own a house one day but lives in an apartment. Day-care licensing requires an enclosed outdoor space for children 18 months and older, so Patterson will focus on infant day care. She recently mailed a detailed application for approval.

"I was nervous about all the steps, and Sharon was very helpful and reassuring," she said. She expects a required home inspection within about 45 days.

"I'm grateful for that time because I have none of my equipment," Patterson said. "I need cribs, changing tables, and eventually I want to get a van.

"Those are my goals," Patterson said. "I know that eventually I'll get there."

Schatz thinks she will. "She has worked so hard," Schatz said. "Every step that she's had to do, she's followed through on. She's very dependable, very motivated."

TO OUR READERS

Throughout the holiday season, The Gazette will feature stories about the 12 agencies that receive money through The Gazette/El Pomar Empty Stocking Fund, and about the people they serve.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to the Empty Stocking Fund, make a check payable to Gazette Charities-Empty Stocking Fund and mail it to P.O. Box 400, Colorado Springs 80901. Or donate online at www.gazette.com, www.coloradosprings.com. Credit card donations also can be made by phone, 476-1673.

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