People Who Need People

Stretching a budget and other tough financial choices occupy many minds this time of year. For families coming out of homelessness, those decisions can be heartbreaking. The Financial Sustainability Initiative that Gulf Coast launched with United Way Suncoast this year is starting to offer some insights into how our community has helped. It even suggests a tip or two for philanthropists looking to make the most of their own charitable gifts.

Families who started out in our financial literacy program last spring have gained knowledge and built assets that can aid them in decision-making this holiday season. Many of these parents now have new financial skills, which brings hope for them and their children’s future. The dedicated Salvation Army case workers and United Way volunteers who work closely with these folks have been remarkable teachers.

One young participant, a single mom named Megan, is a wonderful example of success. She gets incredible help from her (new) friends, or her “people,” as she likes to call the team of advisors that now surrounds her.

Megan used to take eight buses a day to get to work, daycare for her son, and home again. Errands to run? Two more buses for each one. But with guidance from Sharon, her volunteer coach, Megan quickly made progress on improving her situation. Sharon saw that Megan had left money on the table in tax credits. So, with help from United Way, Megan filed two years of taxes—for free—and got back thousands of dollars. Some went straight into a matched savings account provided through our initiative. The rest is in a college savings plan for her son.

To read more, please visit SRQ Magazine to read Mark Pritchett's December 17 SRQ Daily guest column.