ARTICLE
The Bucks County Opportunity Council (BCOC) hosted the 2026 Economic Self-Sufficiency (ES) Graduation on Wednesday, April 29th at The Warrington Country Club. This year’s celebration honored 10 graduates, bringing the program's total over 29 years to 1,169 people in 430 households. Speaking from the heart, Bucks County Commissioner Diane Marseglia welcomed graduates and guests to the BCOC ES Program Graduation. “BCOC staff sees what the cost of housing, no transportation options, always rising gas and electric costs can do to a person’s spirit and their ability to sustain themselves,” she said. As a social worker, she understands the value of having a program with high quality coaching and support available to Bucks County families in need. Families who have a strong desire to have a financially secure future, free of reliance on government subsidies. Commissioner Marseglia stated, “BCOC is integral to the chain of healing in Bucks County, and in keeping this county vibrant as their clients grow and participate in our economy and our tax base!” In an incredibly impassioned and moving speech, Thais, a new graduate, told the audience, “I’ll be honest, starting the program was a little daunting, but I quickly learned that the people here genuinely want you to succeed and they want you to break free from the situations that are holding you back. For a long time, I didn’t think that was possible, but after six years, I can stand here and say, I made it through. Thais battled through Covid barriers, an aggressive tumor, a difficult divorce, and life on her own, far away from family. She continued, “There were so many moments where I didn’t know how I was going to keep moving forward, but I had all the support I needed with BCOC. And I know, without a doubt, that I would not be standing here today without this program. So, this is where I am now. Still building. Still growing. Still learning. But for the first time in a long time…I truly believe that the future is brighter.” The 2026 class entered the program with an average starting income of $19,817. In the 37 months it took for the group to graduate, they increased their income to an average of $62,928, that is an increase of $43,111. All ten graduates shared the importance of resiliency and consistency. Repeatedly, they spoke about the place where you are, not being the place where you end. Perseverance and determination kept their dreams alive and fueled their journey, step by step. These women include proud nurses, entrepreneurs, graphic designers, and a corrections officer. Erin Lukoss, Executive Director of BCOC, reflected on this year’s graduating class in her closing remarks. “What really struck me about this year’s graduates is the level of hardship so many have faced,” she said. “We heard stories of homelessness, loss, isolation, and in some cases, paths shaped by domestic violence or substance use. These are the kinds of challenges that can take someone down a very different path, but what makes this group so remarkable is that they chose something different. They chose to do the hard work, to stay committed, and to partner with their coach every step of the way. What makes the ES program so special is that it doesn’t just create change in the moment, it creates change that lasts a lifetime. It helps families leave poverty permanently. Lukoss reminded the graduates, “You have changed your path, and in doing that, you are changing the next generation.” Graduation is based on ten benchmarks recognized nationally as standards of self-sufficiency: Full employment; free of all subsidies (food stamps, cash assistance, housing subsidies); balanced household budget; resides in safe, affordable housing; reliable transportation; health insurance coverage for all family members; checking and savings account; acceptable credit rating or approved Credit Repair Plan; completed education/training program (if needed); and basic employment skills such as interviewing and resume preparation. To learn more about all the BCOC does, visit our website bcoc.org BCOC is the lead economic mobility non-profit organization in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, dedicated to ending poverty by connecting people with the resources they need to thrive. BCOC has five major program areas: Housing, Food, Weatherization, Volunteer Income Tax Preparation (VITA) and the Economic Self-Sufficiency (ES) Program. Housing includes street outreach, rental and move in aid, and utility shut-off prevention. Food services supply food directly to families through a network of 74 food pantries and distribution sites. Weatherization services help families in reducing their energy costs. VITA provides free income tax preparation assistance. The ES Program assists individuals and families to leave poverty permanently through case management, education, and employment. For over 60 years, the Opportunity Council has served low-income families in Bucks County by helping them to stabilize when in crisis, garner resources to achieve a livable wage, gain additional education and training, and work towards economic self-sufficiency.
The Bucks County Opportunity Council (BCOC) hosted the 2026 Economic Self-Sufficiency (ES) Graduation on Wednesday, April 29th at The Warrington Country Club. This year’s celebration honored 10 graduates, bringing the program's total over 29 years to 1,169 people in 430 households.
Speaking from the heart, Bucks County Commissioner Diane Marseglia welcomed graduates and guests to the BCOC ES Program Graduation. “BCOC staff sees what the cost of housing, no transportation options, always rising gas and electric costs can do to a person’s spirit and their ability to sustain themselves,” she said. As a social worker, she understands the value of having a program with high quality coaching and support available to Bucks County families in need. Families who have a strong desire to have a financially secure future, free of reliance on government subsidies. Commissioner Marseglia stated, “BCOC is integral to the chain of healing in Bucks County, and in keeping this county vibrant as their clients grow and participate in our economy and our tax base!”
In an incredibly impassioned and moving speech, Thais, a new graduate, told the audience, “I’ll be honest, starting the program was a little daunting, but I quickly learned that the people here genuinely want you to succeed and they want you to break free from the situations that are holding you back. For a long time, I didn’t think that was possible, but after six years, I can stand here and say, I made it through. Thais battled through Covid barriers, an aggressive tumor, a difficult divorce, and life on her own, far away from family. She continued, “There were so many moments where I didn’t know how I was going to keep moving forward, but I had all the support I needed with BCOC. And I know, without a doubt, that I would not be standing here today without this program. So, this is where I am now. Still building. Still growing. Still learning. But for the first time in a long time…I truly believe that the future is brighter.”
The 2026 class entered the program with an average starting income of $19,817. In the 37 months it took for the group to graduate, they increased their income to an average of $62,928, that is an increase of $43,111. All ten graduates shared the importance of resiliency and consistency. Repeatedly, they spoke about the place where you are, not being the place where you end. Perseverance and determination kept their dreams alive and fueled their journey, step by step. These women include proud nurses, entrepreneurs, graphic designers, and a corrections officer.
Erin Lukoss, Executive Director of BCOC, reflected on this year’s graduating class in her closing remarks. “What really struck me about this year’s graduates is the level of hardship so many have faced,” she said. “We heard stories of homelessness, loss, isolation, and in some cases, paths shaped by domestic violence or substance use. These are the kinds of challenges that can take someone down a very different path, but what makes this group so remarkable is that they chose something different. They chose to do the hard work, to stay committed, and to partner with their coach every step of the way. What makes the ES program so special is that it doesn’t just create change in the moment, it creates change that lasts a lifetime. It helps families leave poverty permanently. Lukoss reminded the graduates, “You have changed your path, and in doing that, you are changing the next generation.”
Graduation is based on ten benchmarks recognized nationally as standards of self-sufficiency: Full employment; free of all subsidies (food stamps, cash assistance, housing subsidies); balanced household budget; resides in safe, affordable housing; reliable transportation; health insurance coverage for all family members; checking and savings account; acceptable credit rating or approved Credit Repair Plan; completed education/training program (if needed); and basic employment skills such as interviewing and resume preparation.
To learn more about all the BCOC does, visit our website bcoc.org
BCOC is the lead economic mobility non-profit organization in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, dedicated to ending poverty by connecting people with the resources they need to thrive.
BCOC has five major program areas: Housing, Food, Weatherization, Volunteer Income Tax Preparation (VITA) and the Economic Self-Sufficiency (ES) Program. Housing includes street outreach, rental and move in aid, and utility shut-off prevention. Food services supply food directly to families through a network of 74 food pantries and distribution sites. Weatherization services help families in reducing their energy costs. VITA provides free income tax preparation assistance. The ES Program assists individuals and families to leave poverty permanently through case management, education, and employment.
For over 60 years, the Opportunity Council has served low-income families in Bucks County by helping them to stabilize when in crisis, garner resources to achieve a livable wage, gain additional education and training, and work towards economic self-sufficiency.