From Helped to Helping: Amanda’s Story of Stability and Hope

When Amanda unexpectedly lost her job due to funding cuts, she wasn't just worried about herself. She was responsible for two teenagers, including her younger sister, whom she had recently become the legal guardian of. With bills to pay, a family to support, and an ongoing court case involving her sister, Amanda was doing everything she could to keep their lives stable.

Amanda was connected to the 100 Families Initiative of Independence County in August 2025 after Chrisna Chunn, Community Schools Site Director with the Batesville School District, identified her younger sister as eligible for support under the McKinney-Vento program, which assists students experiencing housing instability.

As community school staff learned more about the family's circumstances, they discovered that Amanda had recently taken legal guardianship of her teenage sister while also providing a home for another unaccompanied youth.

At the same time, Amanda had lost her employment and was navigating her sister's Families in Need of Services (FINS) case. The combination of financial pressure, caregiving responsibilities, and legal challenges made it difficult to establish the stability she wanted for her family.

But Amanda wasn't giving up. She wanted to provide for the teenagers in her care and find meaningful employment where she could make a difference in the lives of others.

Through the collaboration between 100 Families and Batesville Community Schools, Amanda and the teenagers received support addressing both immediate needs and long-term goals.

Community Schools helped provide prom dresses for the two girls, transportation assistance for medical appointments, and guidance with college applications. Meanwhile, Family Advocate Angie Stewart worked with Amanda to build her résumé, navigate her sister's FINS case, and pursue employment opportunities.

Amanda secured a position at a prosecutor's office in another town and worked a second job to support her family. Although she had found employment, her goal was to find a career helping others while working closer to home.

Today, Amanda works for the Batesville School District in its SafeCare program, where she draws on both her personal experiences and professional background to support other families.

What began as a difficult season of job loss and uncertainty has become an opportunity to build a career doing the very work she feels called to do.

Her employment now allows her to financially support herself and her sister, while the teenagers she cared for are making progress toward their own futures.

Her sister is doing well in school, completing her senior year of high school, and meeting the requirements of her FINS case. The other young person who lived with Amanda is enrolled in a local college.

Amanda's story demonstrates what can happen when schools, family advocates, and community partners work together to recognize needs early and provide coordinated support.

Her care team included Angie Stewart, Family Advocate; Jennifer Rogers, Independence County Coordinator; Paula Williams, Community Schools/McKinney-Vento Liaison; and Community Schools Site Directors Chrisna Chunn and Lorrie McClure.

Through their collaboration, Amanda gained connections and opportunities that helped her move forward toward lasting stability.

Today, Amanda is flourishing in employment, education, and childcare, and the young people in her care are building promising futures of their own.

Her story is a reminder that when communities work together to address the challenges families face, they can help create pathways to meaningful careers, independence, and the opportunity to give hope to others.