Sadie Whitlock -- Homeownership

Sadie found out about our First Time Homebuyer program and contacted Family Services so she could begin the process of buying a home. She had been renting and was looking to rent something with more space but discovered how much money she could save by owning her own home.

Through our financial education workshops she realized how important it would be for her to pay down her debt. She said this was her biggest focus through the whole process. Sadie started keeping track of her budget and got a part time job. These two things combined, along with some money she had in savings, allowed her to pay off $6,500 of debt from around October to January.

She encourages anyone going through the process to never give up!

"It is still possible to make your life better, to clean up any messes you have made and accomplish everything you have ever wanted! I am now a home owner and it is such a great feeling to know all my hard work has paid off! I would have never thought two years ago when I was sitting in an empty house I was renting that this day would ever happen! But, it did! Believe in yourself!"

"Never, ever give up! There will be times that you want to. But don't. That feeling will soon pass."

Eric White -- Debt Management

Eric was worried that he was going to have to file for bankruptcy until he called United Way and they referred him to Family Services. He joined our Debt Management program and we helped him start on the path of paying off $50,000 of debt. In less than three years he will be debt free. He is able to manage his payments and is increasing his credit score. Not only is he increasing his credit score but he is able to put money into an emergency savings account monthly.

"I want to help people to understand that there are options beside bankruptcy. It’s rough at first because your giving up credit cards you’re used to having, but the result is well worth the satisfaction you get in this program."