Lock Haven man recognized for personal growth accomplishments

LOCK HAVEN, PA – There was a graduation party held last week for a city man, but it was non-traditional in virtually every sense. Michael Stahl was recognized as the first graduate from the Clinton County Housing Authority’s Family Self-Sufficiency Program.

Stahl came through the program designed to help connect housing authority residents with public and private employment, in addition to providing social and economic resources resulting in positive changes in their lives; the goal leading to their self-sufficiency and independence from public assistance.

The Stahl story is a remarkable one, from homelessness to a responsible community member. As explained by Housing Authority officials at the Stahl graduation program at the John Yost Community Center, Stahl advanced from staying in the Clinton County Housing Coalition’s Merit House residence for homeless single adults on E. Man Street to authority housing in the city’s hill district.

During his transition, Stahl enrolled in the authority’s FSS program in 2021. His path included gaining employment at Goodwill and, through the FSS program, learning life skills as necessary.

Stahl spoke at the graduation event and said he would recommend the FSS program to everybody. “From where I was to where I am now is a pretty big step.”

Speakers included Housing Authority Executive Director Jeff Rich, Family Self-Sufficiency Coordinator Tia Hillyer and Boyd Phillips, the program’s Homeownership Instructor from Davis Realty.

Rich lauded Stahl as the program’s first graduate and said there are 22 people presently enrolled in FSS.
Participants discuss the goals they would like to complete to become self-sufficient; they can be anything from attending GED classes, applying to college, improving a credit score, completing a resume workshop, or completing a home ownership workshop.

And there is a financial incentive for participants: If a family’s earned income increases, the difference in their baseline rent and new rent goes into an escrow savings account. Upon graduation from the FSS program, the participant will have a check issued in the amount escrowed, plus interest.

For Stahl, a February graduate, his advancement through the program earned him $2,427 in escrow dollars. He told therecord-online he would be taking that money and put it in his account at a Lock Haven bank.

Friday’s ceremony concluded with a luncheon provided by Phillips and Davis Realty, the event attended by Stahl’s friends and well-wishers.