Tenant Checks Off Goals Before the New Year

FORT WAYNE, IND. – Independence and freedom look different for everyone. For 25-year-old Jalyn Jackson, they look like a new set of wheels.

This fall, Jalyn, a tenant of the permanent supportive housing agency The Courtyard, checked off some major goals: getting a driver’s license and getting a car.

The Courtyard is a permanent supportive housing complex and CHILL (Creating Hope, Instilling Life Lessons) is its supportive service partner, providing guidance and resources to tenants. For Jalyn, that guidance came in the form of help with the buying process.

Jalyn said she’s been trying to get her license for years, taking the bus in the meantime, but she felt that option was limiting. After one unsuccessful driving test and an expiration date looming over her driver’s permit, she felt a renewed determination to make it happen.

“I was really cracking down on getting my license,” Jalyn said. With the clock ticking, she was intent on getting her license and purchasing a car by November. Though she said the biggest challenge was finding someone who could help her learn to drive, she was able to lean on loved ones for support. With help and encouragement from friends and her former foster parent, she took her second driving test on October 28.

“I honestly didn’t think I was going to get it the second time,” Jalyn said. “Second time’s the charm for me!”

From there, Jalyn started working towards getting approved for a car loan. “I felt excited, but it was a little nerve wracking,” she said, noting that she sometimes felt pressured and discouraged during the process. Once approved, she enlisted the help of CHILL Coach Lorraine Craig to search for a vehicle. At Lorraine’s advice, Jalyn made sure to visit a mechanic during the test drive. Satisfied with the inspection, Jalyn is now the proud owner of a Chevy.

These latest accomplishments are a part of Jalyn’s journey to independence. Jalyn spent a few years of her life in the foster care system, but said her mother kept a close watch on her since regaining custody in 2011, when Jalyn was 12. Eight years later, Jalyn was ready for a change.

“I felt at the time that I needed to spread my wings and see what it was like living on my own,” Jalyn said. That’s when she came to The Courtyard and began engaging with CHILL. Jalyn saw her move to The Courtyard not only as a way to start her journey, but also to give back to the community. She’s used connections made through CHILL to volunteer, even participating in their annual Thanksgiving food drive, where tenants provide all the fixings of a Thanksgiving meal to a few families in need.

Over time, Jalyn has been able to achieve her definition of independence; paying for everything on her own, having a car and building her credit score. But she’s not done yet, having recently gotten her passport as well. Though she has yet to set any new goals, Jalyn has strong hopes for her future, including buying a home and building generational wealth.