Financial

Back on Track helps hardworking families and individuals in the Conestoga Valley School District who are facing an unavoidable financial hardship.

There is an increasing number of individuals known as “the working poor.” These people are able to sustain themselves, but they are barely making ends meet.

Consequently, it only takes one unexpected incident to disrupt their lives and push them into debt. Back on Track offers personalized coaching and limited one-time financial assistance to those who qualify for the program.

Our vision is to empower our clients to become champions of their own stories. To safeguard the dignity of our clients, we carefully assess each individual case to distinguish between situations of relief, rehabilitation, and development.

1. Relief refers to the urgent and temporary provision of emergency aid aimed at reducing immediate suffering caused by an unavoidable crisis that isn’t the result of chronic behaviors or conditions.

It is important to note that relief is not intended to be a long-term solution. However, what happens when relief is provided in situations that do not truly require it or no longer need it? This can lead to a phenomenon known as “the downward spiral of dependency,” affecting both the giver and the receiver. Consider the following example:

• • Step 1: Grace gives $50 to Rob for the first time. Rob appreciates it greatly, and Grace experiences a sense of exhilaration from helping him.
  • Step 2: Grace gives Rob $50 a second time. Rob now comes to expect it, and Grace feels a sense of purpose in providing assistance.
  • Step 3: Grace gives Rob $50 a third time. Rob has begun to anticipate this aid, and Grace now feels necessary to Rob’s well-being.
  • Step 4: Grace gives $50 to Rob a fourth time. Rob feels entitled to this help, and Grace feels essential to Rob’s life.
  • Step 5: Grace gives $50 to Rob a fifth time. Rob has become dependent on Grace, and Grace feels vital to his existence, leading to a form of paternalism.

This example illustrates how a well-intentioned act of charity can evolve into dependency, affecting both parties involved.

2. Rehabilitation should start as soon as the immediate suffering ends. Here, we shift from doing things for someone (i.e., providing relief) to collaborating with them to improve their situation. The goal is to achieve stability and self-sufficiency.

3. Development is an ongoing process of change. Similar to rehabilitation, it is not something done to or for someone, but rather done with them. The goal is to achieve a holistically flourishing life. Development is an ideal intervention for many people experiencing chronic poverty in our nation today. Therefore, at CVCCS, we give our clients the option of being paired up with a personal mentor.