CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Circles of the Coastal Bend has officially established a chapter in our area after delayed start to the program.
Across the Coastal Bend, the poverty level is on the rise but the program removes certain barriers by teaching families and equipping them with tools to help get them out of poverty.
Cheyanne Gruszka is the mother of three young children and said they're the reason she is participating in the 18-month long program to break generational poverty.
"I'm raising my children to break generational curses because I mean, just because you came from somewhere low down doesn't mean that you will be there forever." Gruszka said. "You have to take charge in order to get up there instead of staying down here."
Beside educational classes and housing, the program also offers addition resources that Gruszka said can make a difference for struggling parents.
"This program I feel like can alleviate a lot of stress off of those single-parent households where it's single moms or dads," Gruszka said.
Circles of the Coastal Bend Program Coordinator Isabel Jones said the program will be the first of its kind in Texas and hopes it will make a big impact in the area.
"Circles has been an effective way to help people move out of poverty," Jones said.
Gruszka said she's excited the program is officially starting next Tuesday after it was delayed to start in June. She hopes she will be able to return to school to become a veterinarian.
"Life got into the way, so now I'm taking charge of my whole life and I'm doing what I need to do to make my family's lives better," Gruszka said.
Jones said it's not too late to register for the program before it begins on Tuesday. For more information on how to apply for the program visit Circles of the Coastal Bend website here.