Two Greenwich residents realized that their hard work paid off Thursday.

The Housing Authority of Greenwich awarded checks to two individuals that graduated from their family self-sufficiency program. The program is all about perseverance after the graduates faced hardships along the road.

The Housing Authority and Family Centers team together to give people living in public housing the opportunity to save and plan for a better future.

The program begins by a participant paying a certain amount for their rent. Then as they increase their income, the difference in their original rent and new rent is saved in an escrow account. After five years, they are awarded the money they saved.

The main objective of the program is employment. Participants also work with a social worker to achieve their goals.

Today, the program gave a check for over $60,000 to Jeffery Gallagher, which is the largest to date.

“I mean who would think that you’re living in public housing and that the housing authority is going to write you a check for $62,000. It’s phenomenal," says Gallagher.

The program has existed for 13 years. Eligibility for the program is based on a lottery.

The program has awarded more than $275,000 to participants.