When Tanya Elkerton applied for help from SPARCAS, she wanted a hand up, not a hand out. She had, through hard work and participation in an economic self sufficiency program called Stride, left the welfare system behind in 2005 with the intention of never going back. A single mother with two young children, Tanya was determined to both provide for her family and set an example in self reliance. Life, however, kept throwing her obstacles. Obstacles that were becoming increasingly difficult for Tanya to handle.

Initially, things seemed to be looking up. Tanya had learned valuable lessons in managing her life and her money, and her temp work assignment had stretched into over a year. But then the temp work became more sporadic, while the enormous child care expenses began to build. She was left with unreliable transportation after an accident with an uninsured driver totaled her car, leaving her with a replacement car that required a good push almost as often as it required gas. Child support obligations were not being met, putting her in the position of being the sole provider for her children, and turning to family for help was not an option. Tanya, however, was adamant about not returning to welfare. This was when her friend Heather Smith, a Slumber Parties Distributor, suggested that she turn to SPARCAS.

Dedicated to making positive changes in her own life, Tanya had already secured a full-time mailroom job with a state agency when SPARCAS interviewed her in late November. However, she was still $4,000 dollars behind on overdue daycare expenses. It was her hope that SPARCAS could help her catch up on this debt to some extent. Tanya didn’t know it, but SPARCAS had a little more in mind.

Two days after Denver’s pre-Christmas blizzard, Tanya was treated to quite a surprise. In a whirl of gift certificates, balloons and hugs, she was greeted by SPARCAS representatives who then proceeded to give her something unexpected—a new Chevrolet Aveo. After assessing Tanya’s home and taking inventory, the representatives then returned with six shopping carts stuffed to overflowing with needed groceries and housewares. Christmas surprises were brought in for the children. And Tanya’s child-care debt? It was brought to a zero balance. It was truly a Christmas to remember for everyone involved.