“She Stays With Me”
“She Stays With Me”
Shirley has had many jobs throughout her 64 years. Jobs that she enjoyed, and worked hard at. Some jobs paid her enough, if she managed her money well, others barely enough to get by. Shirley enrolled in the Money Talks program offered through The Journey Forward and has gained tools that have put her in a better financial position.
Shirley worked as she raised her children and grandchildren. Like many, she never had the benefit of financial education. On Fridays, with a paycheck in hand, she would stop on her way home from work and buy for her children or grandchildren. She wanted her children and grandchildren to have it easier than she did.
As she got older, jobs became scarce. Her financial struggles got worse. She was referred to The Journey Forward’s, Money Talks program by the National Caucus and Center on Black Aging.
Shirley attended Money Talks webinars to learn about Budgeting and Credit Scores. She worked one-on-one with her Financial Counselor, Annemarie to create an action plan that would change her future.
When asked about her experience, Shirley replies, “She stays with me.” Annemarie’s coaching and guidance helped reshape Shirley’s relationship with money, and it has stayed with her.
Shirley has had many jobs throughout her 64 years. Jobs that she enjoyed, and worked hard at. Some jobs paid her enough, if she managed her money well, others barely enough to get by. Shirley enrolled in the Money Talks program offered through The Journey Forward and has gained tools that have put her in a better financial position.
Shirley worked as she raised her children and grandchildren. Like many, she never had the benefit of financial education. On Fridays, with a paycheck in hand, she would stop on her way home from work and buy for her children or grandchildren. She wanted her children and grandchildren to have it easier than she did.
As she got older, jobs became scarce. Her financial struggles got worse. She was referred to The Journey Forward’s, Money Talks program by the National Caucus and Center on Black Aging.
Shirley attended Money Talks webinars to learn about Budgeting and Credit Scores. She worked one-on-one with her Financial Counselor, Annemarie to create an action plan that would change her future.
When asked about her experience, Shirley replies, “She stays with me.” Annemarie’s coaching and guidance helped reshape Shirley’s relationship with money, and it has stayed with her.
High-Rise Goals:
A Beautiful Story Of Achievement
High-Rise Goals:
A Beautiful Story Of Achievement
Christayl’s dream was to leave the West Side of Chicago and move with her children to a downtown high-rise. Living on the West Side was rough. Her apartment was in disrepair, and repeated complaints about pest infestations went unanswered. She had always worked, mostly temporary jobs, but it was never enough to move. One year ago, Christayl found The Journey Forward and began working towards her goals.
Raising her children in the daily mix of violence and uncertainty took a toll on her spirit and will. But she would remember that dream of a high-rise and decided she was tired of asking, “Why don’t you have a better life?” and decided to make a change.
When Christayl started working with The Journey Forward, her credit score was in the low 500s, significantly reducing her housing options. Christayl enrolled in financial workshops at The Journey Forward and enrolled in the Family-Centered Coaching program. She worked with a Financial Counselor on budgeting, improving her credit score, paying down credit cards, managing her student loan debt, and building savings. Her Family Coach provided valuable resources that helped her access furniture and other essential supports. Working with our partner, E&ES, she began setting career goals. Each session, she gained knowledge and confidence to improve her life.
Christayl secured a permanent job at a Chicago nonprofit. With a credit score in the 700s, she was able to move her family to a downtown high-rise and fulfill her dream.
“I’m living the life I’ve always imagined. This is the first furnished apartment we’ve had in six years,” she said.
“We belong here, just like everyone else in this building. My older kids say that they are so proud of me. I’ve never heard that from them before. My six-year-old actually woke up one day and said, ‘I’m on top of the world.”
“Now I can buy my kid’s vitamins, as well as dumbbells to work out with,” she added. “I take yoga. I’ve got time to live!”
This was not an easy journey for Christyal; she worked hard and made significant changes to create a better life for her family.
Christayl’s dream was to leave the West Side of Chicago and move with her children to a downtown high-rise. Living on the West Side was rough. Her apartment was in disrepair, and repeated complaints about pest infestations went unanswered. She had always worked, mostly temporary jobs, but it was never enough to move. One year ago, Christayl found The Journey Forward and began working towards her goals.
Raising her children in the daily mix of violence and uncertainty took a toll on her spirit and will. But she would remember that dream of a high-rise and decided she was tired of asking, “Why don’t you have a better life?” and decided to make a change.
When Christayl started working with The Journey Forward, her credit score was in the low 500s, significantly reducing her housing options. Christayl enrolled in financial workshops at The Journey Forward and enrolled in the Family-Centered Coaching program. She worked with a Financial Counselor on budgeting, improving her credit score, paying down credit cards, managing her student loan debt, and building savings. Her Family Coach provided valuable resources that helped her access furniture and other essential supports. Working with our partner, E&ES, she began setting career goals. Each session, she gained knowledge and confidence to improve her life.
Christayl secured a permanent job at a Chicago nonprofit. With a credit score in the 700s, she was able to move her family to a downtown high-rise and fulfill her dream.
“I’m living the life I’ve always imagined. This is the first furnished apartment we’ve had in six years,” she said.
“We belong here, just like everyone else in this building. My older kids say that they are so proud of me. I’ve never heard that from them before. My six-year-old actually woke up one day and said, ‘I’m on top of the world.”
“Now I can buy my kid’s vitamins, as well as dumbbells to work out with,” she added. “I take yoga. I’ve got time to live!”
This was not an easy journey for Christyal; she worked hard and made significant changes to create a better life for her family.
Nameer and his wife dreamed of homeownership for their family of four; but when his wife passed away in 2018, he had to move into his mother’s home with his teenage children. With only two bedrooms, it was “a little crowed,” but he knew it was only temporary; because he never gave up on their dream.
The Journey Forward partners with Chicago South Suburbs Habitat for Humanity providing financial education and housing counseling. We share their belief that everyone deserves a safe place to call home.
When Nameer came to The Journey Forward from Habitat, he was anxious to put a plan in place to give his children a home. He worked with his financial counselor and strengthened his credit score, created a workable budget for his family, and addressed credit collections.
With careful planning, he was even able to purchase a new car, something he desperately needed to get to work. When that purchase affected his DTI, he took action and got a part-time job. This supplemented his income, improved his financial profile with mortgage lenders, and provided additional down payment savings. He worked hard on his finances, and the sweat equity Habitat required , while parenting two teenagers. During this time, he also completed the rigorous Homebuying Certification Class offered by The Journey Forward and required by lenders for down payment assistance.
Upon completing the certification class, Habitat for Humanity could offer Nameer down payment assistance loans and lower closing costs.
It took time, but in September of 2022, Nameer and his children moved into their 3-bedroom home, realizing that shared dream of providing a home for their family.
Nameer and his wife dreamed of homeownership for their family of four; but when his wife passed away in 2018, he had to move into his mother’s home with his teenage children. With only two bedrooms, it was “a little crowed,” but he knew it was only temporary; because he never gave up on their dream.
The Journey Forward partners with Chicago South Suburbs Habitat for Humanity providing financial education and housing counseling. We share their belief that everyone deserves a safe place to call home.
When Nameer came to The Journey Forward from Habitat, he was anxious to put a plan in place to give his children a home. He worked with his financial counselor and strengthened his credit score, created a workable budget for his family, and addressed credit collections.
With careful planning, he was even able to purchase a new car, something he desperately needed to get to work. When that purchase affected his DTI, he took action and got a part-time job. This supplemented his income, improved his financial profile with mortgage lenders, and provided additional down payment savings. He worked hard on his finances, and the sweat equity Habitat required , while parenting two teenagers. During this time, he also completed the rigorous Homebuying Certification Class offered by The Journey Forward and required by lenders for down payment assistance.
Upon completing the certification class, Habitat for Humanity could offer Nameer down payment assistance loans and lower closing costs.
It took time, but in September of 2022, Nameer and his children moved into their 3-bedroom home, realizing that shared dream of providing a home for their family.
