Success Story:
Patti

Patti, West Virginia

Upon meeting Patti, you’re immediately impressed by her optimism and zest for life. Telamon staff member Maggie has witnessed amazing changes in her client over the past eight years.

Patti learned about Telamon in 2014 when she and her boyfriend were homeless. With Maggie’s help, she found a townhouse through West Virginia’s low-income housing coalition. Living in addiction, her boyfriend’s repeated relapses led to the loss of the townhouse. The personal challenges she’d endured left her with emotional scars and serious debt.

After two difficult years, Patti ended her abusive relationship. Even though she was holding down two jobs, she was homeless and living in her car. She needed Telamon’s help more than ever. Without delay, Maggie stepped in to help her learn how to manage her money and improve her credit so that she could gain financial security. Patti also had to clear up several traffic violations and fines that her former boyfriend incurred while using her vehicle.

That’s when Patti embarked on a new path that would change her life. With Maggie’s guidance and support, she was able to develop a plan to help eliminate her debt. While Patti worked on her finances and credit, Maggie helped her find temporary housing. She also received counseling on budgeting and credit repair. A clean record would lead to better employment options, too.

Then, the pandemic hit. While undergoing counseling for PTSD, Patti was terminated from her job. Since the Telamon office was shut down, the absence of classroom education and in-person meetings added another layer of challenges.  But Patti worked closely with Maggie and took advantage of Telamon’s online resources available to her.  Ever perseverant, Patti worked multiple jobs to earn money: as a cashier, at a rehab center, walking dogs, and cleaning houses. On top of this, she completed her state’s training program to become a Certified Peer Recovery Support Specialist.

When Patti first started working with Telamon’s housing advisors, her credit scores were in the 400s. Even while holding down a job and dealing with the loss of family members due to addiction, she was steadfast in reaching her goal. With Maggie’s help, Patti’s credit score increased exponentially. Her dream of gaining financial stability and having a home to call her own has become a reality. Since 2021, Patti has been a proud homeowner — the first person in her family to own a home.

A strong woman in active recovery, Patti is dedicated to helping to break the cycles of addiction that ravage families.  Her grandchildren fuel her determination to facilitate positive change for their future. She also works with peer recovery and mental health support programs in her community, using her experience to help others.

Telamon-TRC offers a variety of Housing & Financial Empowerment workshops and customized services that aim to help you build financial security. We specialize in financial management and budget counseling, credit education, pre-purchase homebuyer programs, rental education and counseling, foreclosure prevention and loss mitigation services, and personal financial coaching.

Since 1965 Telamon-TRC has helped individuals like you access services that lead to better jobs, better lives, and better communities. Find a Housing & Financial Empowerment program near you today!