Sisters: Stacey and Ashley
Stacey's Story
Working with Hope Enterprises has helped Stacey succeed at her job and gain the independence to live on her own with a roommate.
Stacey is a prep cook at Applebee's restaurant, where she has worked for the past five years. With money earned from her job, Stacey enjoys buying things for her apartment and going out to eat. She also budgets to provide for the needs of her cats, Cindel and Licorice. An animal lover, Stacey also has two hermit crabs, Houdini and Phantom.
Stacey attended Bloomsburg High School, then enrolled in the culinary arts program at Columbia Montour Area Vocational-Technical School, where she graduated in 2005. She went on to complete the culinary arts program at the Hiram G. Andrews Center in Johnstown in 2006. Stacey received a recognition award from SUNCOM Industries in 2017 for her employment success.
Stacey competes in bocce in the Pennsylvania Special Olympics and has an interest in track. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, listening to music, and working with friends on model ships of the Titanic.
Recently, with the help of Hope's Community Support Program staff, Stacey studied for and passed the exam to receive her Pennsylvania learner's permit and is now learning how to drive. She is also working to increase her reading skills so that she can enjoy more books that interest her.
Increasing her independence – that's Stacey's HopeAbility.
Ashley's Story
Stacey's younger sister Ashley is also a member of the Hope Enterprises family.
Ashley lives in an apartment with her best friend, Amanda. She enjoys spending time with Amanda and other friends as well as hanging out with neighbors in the building where she lives.
Ashley enjoys going to church, participating in Starlight Bible Study, listening to country music and watching movies and professional wrestling. She also enjoys attending AMPES, the Arc Meeting Place for Expanding and Sharing, a weekly program offered through The Arc of Susquehanna Valley. Ashley's other interests include competing in basketball skills, track and field, and bocce in the Pennsylvania Special Olympics, playing Monopoly and UNO, and attending Camp Echo in Millville.
Like Stacey, Ashley graduated from Bloomsburg High School and participates in the Community Support Program at Hope. Through the program, Ashley has improved her cooking, laundry and cleaning skills and learned about healthy food options, grocery shopping and meal prepping.
Ashley's volunteer work experience includes Denny's, The Salvation Army and Agape, a non-denominational, faith-based mission that helps people in need in Columbia and Montour counties and elsewhere throughout the region.
Living independently in an apartment with her best friend – that's Ashley's HopeAbility.