Success Story:
Family Finds Greater Financial Security Thanks to Telamon
Deric and Jenia, Indiana
Formerly a self-employed architect, the country’s financial crisis found Deric out of a job in 2008. Motivated to find a new career path, he completed a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and sought to build a career in Software Engineering. Unfortunately, Deric faced challenges in securing work in the field in a highly competitive job marketplace. To make ends meet, Deric took a job as a server at Bob Evans Restaurant, and on his days off, he builds apps for the mobile marketplace. His wife Jenia stays home with their two young boys and when time allows, she works on her business: designing, writing and publishing digital crochet patterns for sale on Etsy.com. Her business continues to grow each year, providing a little extra money for things such as surprise car repairs or Christmas presents.
Living week to week with just enough to pay all the monthly bills, Deric and Jenia found it very difficult to save money. When their car broke down, they were in a real bind, with no transportation to get Deric to get to work, or their kids to school. With only a modest savings, buying a car was going to put a huge strain on the family budget.
That’s when Samantha Lawson, their TRC Head Start Family Services Specialist introduced them to Larry Douthitt, a staff member with TRC’s Financial Coaching Program, who told them about Individual Development Accounts (IDA). “We were initially skeptical of the program, as it seemed too good to be true,” said Deric.
“Deric and Jenia are grateful to Telamon-TRC’s Housing & Financial Empowerment program which helped them build skills and achieve a greater degree of financial security.”
Individual Development Accounts (IDA) are special savings accounts that match the deposits of low and moderate-income savers. For every $1.00 saved in an IDA, savers receive an additional $3.00. Money in an IDA can be used to buy or repair a home, further your education (or that of your child) through college or a job training program, start or expand a small business, or purchase a vehicle. IDAs are overseen and monitored by a TRC staff member.
“Larry, our financial coach, came across as genuine, helpful and informed, and after learning how the program worked, we were at ease with the idea,” recall Deric and Jenia. Working with Larry, they put together a plan and began saving money in an IDA. Thanks to Larry’s guidance and support, Deric and his family were able to purchase a reliable vehicle.
With the security of savings, and transportation they can count on, Deric continues to look for employment in software engineering, while Jenia works to grow her crochet pattern business.
The family is grateful to Telamon-TRC’s Housing & Financial Empowerment program, which helped them build skills and achieve a greater degree of financial security.
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!
