Education empowers entrepreneur to provide for her family

Marline has been baking since she was a little girl, working in her father’s shop in Haiti. Her passion has stuck with her and even become a skill she’s sharing with her son, who is 11.

“I tell him, ‘If you love bread, you need to know how to make it,’” Marline says. “[The kitchen] is where I spend most of my days,” she says.”

But the journey to building her business hasn’t been a straight line. Although she has lived in the United States for about 30 years, it wasn’t until Marline separated from her husband in 2021 that she became primarily financially responsible for herself and her son.

“When I separated from my husband, things were tough,” Marline says. “Emotionally, financially.”

When she looks back on photos from that time, she can see she was depressed – even as she put on a bright face for others. Her cousin suggested that Marline reach out to Community Progress Council to see what resources were available, to create a plan for her future.

Marline enrolled in “Getting Ahead In A Just-Gettin’-By World,” a program at Community Progress Council where participants investigate how poverty affects their lives and their communities. She calls the class an “eye opener.”

“I was reluctant at first, because I didn’t want people to know my business,” Marline says. “When I heard other people sharing similar stories… In my mind I thought I was the only one going through what I was going through.”

“After the class, I feel like I can push more. I can pick up myself.”

When the 16-week class ended, Marline stuck with Community Progress Council, and connected to a Coach that could help her continue to build her skills and resources and determine a path forward to achieve her goals.

Some of her needs were immediate: Gas cards, clothing, utility assistance and referrals to nearby food resources. For Marline, half the battle was knowing what help was available.

“There are some resources, I didn’t know how to look for them,” she says.

But it was always important to Marline to make long-term progress toward self-sufficiency.

“My goal is to get better,” she says. “To be on my feet, like I used to.”

She started with part time work with Door Dash, delivering food. She’s also purchased fresh fruits and vegetables from a nearby market and sold them in her neighborhood to people who otherwise don’t have access to fresh produce.

But her bakery business has always been her number-one dream. She enrolled at HACC for a certificate in Culinary Arts, and has already achieved her ServSafe certification. Next up, she’s working with her Coach at Community Progress Council to find resources around Cottage Laws and what is required to operate a business from within her home.

Marline has also been able to access educational funds through Community Progress Council to complete her program at HACC.

“This semester, things were kind of rough for me,” Marline says. “When I looked at the bill, that amount is not a big deal. Because of the situation I’m in, it’s like a million dollars. I paid it as much as I can, [but] when Ms. Kelly called me last week to tell me that I was approved [and CPC would cover the balance due], it was a dream come true.”

She plans to connect with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture around Cottage Laws. Then next up, she’ll tackle a different beast: Social media and how to promote her baking beyond word of mouth.

“It’s good to work with a Coach, with somebody who knows, with somebody who is willing to help, who does not judge you,” Marline says. “They put themselves in, they understand what the client is going through.”

Emotionally, Marline says she is in a healthier place than when she first connected to Community Progress Council, which makes it easier to work on her business and to support herself and her son.

“I’m determined,” she says. “Nothing in life is easy. Sometimes things get in your way to discourage you,” she adds. “So you have to look at it from a different perspective. This is a legacy I want to leave for my son as well.”

“I thank God for CPC, for helping. I can see now that I’m a different person.”