IDA Savers
Nicole
Saving for her education
Challenge: Nicole was determined to go back to school and earn her degree, but as a single mom had trouble finding the resources to make it possible.
Result: Meeting women like herself in the IDA program helped boost Nicole's confidence, and getting her education has given her hope for the future. Upon graduation she hopes to use her criminal justice degree to help youth in her community.
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Craig and Alice
Saving for a home
Challenge: Before he met Alice, Craig was a self-described “free-spender.” She helped reign
him in, he explains, but in order to accomplish their goal of buying a home the couple needed an extra boost.
Result: Craig and Alice worked hard to cut their debt, improve their credit, and save each month. Now, they are the proud new owners of a home in Mountain View!
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Maria
Saving for her business
Challenge: Maria decided started her in-home daycare to be able to spend more time at home with her own children, but she was shocked to learn how expensive to process was.
Result: Enrolling in the IDA Savings Program helped Maria jumpstart her business. She learned new skills to manage her hosuehold budget and bank accounts, and within one year reached her savings goal!
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Abdullah
Saving for Citizenship
Challenge: Six years after being granted entry into the United States as a refugee, Abdullah decided that he wanted to try to become a citizen but was unsure of how he could pay the expensive fees to apply.
Result: Abdullah learned to maintain a budget and set aside $57 per month in his IDA Savings account. Within six months he was able to use his savings and the matching IDA funds to submit his application for citizenship!
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Janet
Saving for her education
Challenge: Janet was working two jobs, in addition to managing a full-time college load, to pay tuition and for school supplies.
Result: Through the IDA savings program Janet learned how to manage her budget so she can make it through school. She hopes to use her degree to help nonprofits better market their services to reach the people that need them.
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Jelica
Saving for a home
Challenge: Arriving as a refugee from Bosnia, Jelica and her two daughters had $10, six pieces of luggage, and a dream to buy a home here in the United States.
Result: Jelica joined the IDA program to save for a home, took classes on money management, and three years later was able to buy a condominium in Santa Clara County.
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Sandra
Saving for her education
Challenge: While raising her family and attending accounting classes, Sandra realized that she could help individuals and businesses in the Latino community by providing tax preparation services.
Result: Sandra saved $75 each month in her IDA savings account, and has been able to put that money to help pay for her continuing education and to grow her accounting business.
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Wendy
Saving for her and her son's education
Challenge: Wendy is pursuing a Masters in Accounting degree while her son also attends school. Without her IDA account, it would have taken her twice as long to reach her savings goal.
Result: Through the IDA Savings program, Wendy learned how to hone her money management and budgeting skills. With these new skills, she continues to save for her family's education and their future.
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Tirunesh and Teklu
Saving for Citizenship
Challenge: Tirunesh and Teklu moved to the United States from Ethiopia in 2004 to join their daughter and grandchildren. Proud of their new home, they wanted to become U.S. citizens as well.
Result: For the first time in their lives, Tirunesh and Teklu opened a savings account. After one year they had saved enough to pay the citizenship application fee, and in 2010 the pair officially became U.S. citizens!
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Agnes
Saving for her business
Challenge: Agnes is running her a successful business at the Ashby Flea Market in Berkeley, but wants to open a storefront so she can sell her goods every day of the week!
Result: Agnes saved $2,000 in her IDA Savings account, and is relieved to say she is out of credit card debt and well on her way towards achieving her goal.
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Guadalupe
Saving for her daughter's education
Challenge: Guadalupe's daughters had the grades and ambition to transfer from community college to UC-Berkeley, but she didn't know how to afford the tuition.
Result: Guadalupe joined the IDA program and learned to manage her household budget and put aside enough money for her daughter to attend school. Now, all three of her daughters have opened savings accounts to help continue their education.
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Wilbur
Saving for his education
Challenge: Wilbur, a first generation Chinese-American, did not have the money to pay for school. If increased his hours at work, he did not have the time to focus on his studies.
Result: Using his savings and the matching funds from his IDA account, Wilbur was able to purchase all his textbooks, a laptop, and lighten up his work schedule to devote more time to school.
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Vicci
Saving for her business
Challenge: Having recovered from a traumatic car accident 20 years ago, Vicci wanted to help others get back on track through a life coaching business.
Result: Although her business is just one year old, Vicci has big plans for the future. With her savings, Vicci has been able to realize her dream of giving the “gift of a normal life” to others. “Sometimes victory is just being able to look at your feet.”
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Joe
Saving for his education
Challenge: Joe, a native of the Bay Area, was struggling to pay his education expenses. He was worried he might have to drop down to part-time enrollment in college in San Jose, where he was studying to earn his degree in graphic design.
Result: Joe is learning to manage his finances while studying full-time. He is proud of the discipline he's learned, and is excited to see what the future holds following graduation.
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Thao
Saving for her business
Challenge: Having recently arrived from Vietnam, Thao is still learning English while working as a waitress and taking care of her daughter.
Result: Thao is learning to manage her finances while pursuing a license in cosmetology. She plans to open her own business to help increase her family's income.
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