Idaho HFA: Twin Falls Resident Works to Achieve Lifelong Dream with Help of a Scholarship

 

(TWIN FALLS) Becoming a nurse is a dream she’s had for many years. Michelle Daniels is one step closer to achieving that dream with help from Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA) and the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Official (NAHRO). Daniels was awarded a NAHRO scholarship of $1,000 annually for up to four years. IHFA sponsored Daniels’ scholarship application, and the Home Partnership Foundation, brought to you by IHFA, will contribute an additional $250 toward her education in the first year of the scholarship. The scholarship, which was open to eligible participants in low-income housing programs in the NAHRO Pacific Northwest region, is allowing Daniels to continue to pursue a nursing degree at the College of Southern Idaho.

 

“Michelle’s story illustrates that through hard work and dedication anyone can achieve their goals,” said Julie Williams, IHFA Senior Vice President. “She sets a great example for other participants utilizing IHFA’s Family Self-Sufficiency program, and we’re happy we could assist Michelle with her scholarship application as she works to obtain her degree.”

 

Daniels’ lifelong dream to care for people in their time of need will soon be reality. Daniels expects to complete the LPN program in December, and obtain her RN next year. She attributes her success to hard work and support from her family. Her mother, who always wanted to be a nurse but never had the opportunity, is behind her every step of the way, as is her nine-year-old daughter. “My daughter is really proud of me, and is always telling everyone that her mom’s going to be a nurse,” Daniels said.

 

Daniels earned the scholarship from NAHRO’s Pacific Northwest Region, which includes Idaho, Alaska, Oregon, and Washington. Recipients of the continuing education scholarship must be out of high school for at least four years, must have a high school diploma or GED, and must be pursuing education at a university, college, trade, or specialty school. The scholarship winner must be a full-time student, and maintain a 2.5 GPA.

 

Juggling school, studying, work as a CNA at St. Luke’s, and time with her daughter means Daniels’ days start early and end late. “The scholarship will allow me to stay focused on my studies so I don’t have to work as much,” she said. Daniels is determined to achieve her goal. “I know there will be challenges ahead, but I will get there,” Daniels wrote in her scholarship application essay. “I will fulfill my dream of becoming a nurse no matter how big the challenges.” She also knows that her dedication sets a good example for her daughter, showing her that goals can be accomplished through hard work.

 

Daniels became a Section 8 Rental Assistance participant through IHFA’s Twin Falls office in 2008 and joined the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program just a few months later. FSS is a voluntary program open to IHFA’s Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher recipients that helps Idaho households learn to take control of their lives and achieve financial independence. Through this program, funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development are placed in an interest-bearing escrow account, which grows based on the increased earned income from the participant. Upon completion of the program, the participant may use the escrow account to help pay for education, homeownership costs or to help meet other goals they’ve set on the program.

 

FSS Specialists in each of IHFA’s branch offices work with participants to help them meet their financial, and in Michelle’s case, educational goals. “Michelle keeps focused on what she wants, and even when she has a bump in the road she tackles that obstacle,” said FSS Specialist Cindy Garcia, Daniels’ caseworker.

 

Currently, 214 people are enrolled in the FSS program in IHFA’s four branch offices, located in Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, Lewiston, and Coeur d’Alene.