SUV presented to single mother at Lagoon Summer Concert Series at CSU
For 16 years, Houska Automotive in Fort Collins has been a stalwart partner of Project Self-Sufficiency, positively impacting numerous lives. Since its founding in 1952, Houska has steadfastly given back to Northern Colorado and this year awarded Project Self-Sufficiency participant Victoria a 2012 GMC Terrain with only 76,000 miles.
“I feel incredibly grateful for this vehicle because I rely on being able to commute about 100 miles each weekday to Denver to earn an associate degree in respiratory therapy,” Victoria says. “My success is 100 percent reliant on my presence and engagement in the program. I will now also be able to ensure that my son, D’Andre, is able to get to school and participate in his sports activities, which is also important to me.”
“The Houska Automotive team is proud to be able to donate a vehicle to a family of Project Self-Sufficiency for the 16th year,” says Houska Automotive Vice President LJ Houska. “As many of us know, raising kids is not an easy job, especially if you don’t have reliable transportation. Hopefully, this car will make Victoria’s life a little easier. Helping with transportation needs/issues is what we have done for the past 72 years.”
“Victoria had to borrow a family member’s car after her vehicle broke down but needed to share this with others,” Weld Community Outreach and Program Advisor Mistie Trefry says. “If Victoria is unsuccessful in her academic achievements, more than a degree is riding on it: It would mean repaying her employer for the education expenses they are covering if she is unable to complete her degree successfully.”
“I have worked in healthcare for over 15 years, and I have seen that respiratory therapists are the EMTs of the hospital—I want to be a part of that,” Victoria says. “During COVID, I saw an RT’s vital role in their patients’ care and how much of a difference they make. I also want my son and my cousins to see me be successful in my education so that I can inspire them to pursue some form of higher education.” 
“I am so grateful to Project Self-Sufficiency and to Houska Automotive for supporting me in my educational journey with this vehicle. A significant stress has been lifted from my shoulders, and that feeling is priceless,” Victoria says. “My son and I are both extremely thankful, and I told him that I hope to one day pay it forward and similarly help a single parent.”
“Houska Automotive has been an outstanding community partner of Project Self-Sufficiency for nearly two decades,” Project Self-Sufficiency Development Director Lyndsey Hertz says. “Their generosity has profoundly impacted the lives of 16 single-parent families through car donations. We are deeply grateful for Houska’s unwavering support of our mission, empowering single parents to achieve self-sufficiency.”