Passport to Self-Sufficiency: How Families Break the Cycle of Poverty — COTS: The Art of Family Podcast

The Passport to Self-Sufficiency™ (PTS) framework is at the heart of COTS’ mission to help Detroit families build stability and thrive. In this episode, Paige Blessman, Director of Communications & Engagement, is joined by Nikki Carbonari, Executive Director of Impact, and Laquaia Thomas, a COTS Mobility Coach, to unpack how PTS works in practice.Together, they explore how the framework guides families through five interconnected domains—Family Stability, Finances, Health and Well-Being, Education and Training, and Employment and Income. Listeners will hear real stories from the frontlines, learn how coaching empowers families to set and achieve their own goals, and discover why this decade-old model continues to transform lives.Whether you’re a longtime supporter or new to COTS, this episode offers an inside look at what it takes to break the cycle of poverty for good.