“Why Doesn’t She Just Work Harder?” – Lydia’s Story
Lydia is a single mom doing everything right. She works full-time,
shows up on time, and pours herself into raising her two kids. But
when you’re living paycheck to paycheck, even small problems
can spiral fast.
Her car was old but essential. When it broke down, she scraped
together enough for a quick fix to get to work and back. Then the
taillight went out. She couldn’t afford the repair, and when she got
a ticket, she planned to pay it on payday. But that week, her son
got sick and needed medicine. The ticket had to wait.
Soon, there were more tickets—for the expired registration she
couldn’t renew because the car wouldn’t pass inspection. She
started taking back roads, hoping to avoid police. Friends helped
with rides at first—one took her to work, another got her kids to
school—but after weeks of scrambling, the offers dried up. People
got tired. She understood.
Then came the warrant.
She still kept going, doing everything she could to keep her
job. But when the car broke down for good, there was nothing left
to do. She missed too many shifts and lost her job. A few months
later, she lost her apartment. She and the kids moved into the
car. When the landlord had it towed, they lost that too.
Lydia worked hard. She never stopped. But hard work wasn’t
enough to outrun the setbacks that came one after another. She
didn’t need a lecture—she needed a lifeline.
How can we help
when hard work isn’t
enough? How can we help
when hard work isn’t
enough?
The Bridges Out of
Poverty seminar is a powerful
framework that helps our
community understand the
real barriers faced by families
like Lydia’s. It unpacks the
hidden rules of the economic
classes, reveals how poverty
works, and gives practical tools for building bridges—not just
handouts. Whether you’re a business owner, teacher, pastor,
employer, or neighbor, this seminar will challenge the way you think
and equip you to make a meaningful difference. Change begins
with understanding—and Bridges is where that begins.
I have food in my cupboard again. Most appreciative. Thank you. My medical bills are draining me.
FREE ESL CLASSES – Open to the Community!
Know someone who wants to improve their English? Help us spread the word!
Our ESL (English as a Second Language) classes are open to everyone—you do
not have to be a Harvest House client.
Classes begin September 16, every Tuesday
Children ages 4+ are welcome if well-behaved
Taught by the amazing Stephanie Stroud
Beginner Class – 10:00–11:00 AM
Intermediate Class – 11:00–12:00 PM
Cost: Absolutely FREE!
Interested? Contact Niki Cary
nikic@yourharvesthouse.org
817-295-6252 ext. 106
Let’s build stronger communication—and stronger community—together!
Serving with Heart Since 2011
If you’re looking for someone who quietly holds everything together with
grace, kindness, and a little humor, look no further than Sue Coplin. Since
2011, Sue has been an anchor at Harvest House—faithfully serving behind
the scenes with spreadsheets, phone calls, prayers, and compassion.
Sue first connected with Harvest House simply by driving down Renfro
Street. She was looking for a place to volunteer that truly helped people.
She started in the food pantry, moved into client aid and the storehouse,
and eventually transitioned into a staff role. Today, she supports multiple
departments—bookkeeping, leadership, and pantry operations—with a
servant’s heart and a steady hand.
But Sue’s work goes far beyond her job description. Her favorite part of
working at Harvest House? “Spreading the love of Jesus. I want people to
know who He is and why we’re here.” She often prays with clients, and one
moment that stands out was when a client asked if she could pray for Sue
in return. “It reminded me—it’s not a one-way street. We’re not just helping
others; they’re touching our lives too.”
Sue’s time at Harvest House has changed the way she sees the world. “I
used to think food drives made a huge dent, but once I started working
here, I realized how quickly the food goes. I’ve seen miracles happen in this
building.”
Through it all, Sue’s guiding belief is simple: “Everyone deserves to be
treated with dignity. We may be the only Bible someone sees.” And it’s this
quiet, steadfast commitment to love and dignity that makes her such a vital
part of our team.
Her favorite scripture comes from Matthew 25:40:
“Whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you
did for me.”
Sue, thank you for showing up with kindness, creativity, and unwavering
faith. You reflect the heart of Harvest House in everything you do.
