I wasn't looking for something like IC$ when I discovered it, but I am so thankful I did!  I was working with MercyCorps NW, to become part of their IDA program.  One of the requirements for enrolling in the IDA program is to complete a business foundations class and work on a written business plan.  I have been interested in developing my own business for quite a while but my poor credit has always stopped me from being able to move forward.  It was very challenging to know that mistakes I made at 20-21 years old were negatively impacting my future, even though I tried to correct them.  I felt very frustrated knowing that I wouldn't be able to get a business loan when I couldn't even get a credit card...even a secured credit card.  During one of our sessions about funding and loans, the class facilitator mentioned a program in Portland that can help us with rebuilding our credit if we had a hard financial situation.  I was so excited to hear that something like this existed and e-mailed IC$ that night.  I received my referral through MCNW and I've been well on my way to establishing better credit since.  My hopes, in coming to IC$ are to obtain a credit score high enough to be approved for a business loan, learn the skills necessary to create and maintain a monthly budget (this is also required to get my loan-how convenient!), and to change my habits of not paying my bills on time.

What have you been working on in your coaching sessions/through your loan?

I have been working on setting up my monthly budget.  My work situation was changing so it took us a while to iron it out.  I feel confident that it's what I need.  We have factored in money that I save for my future business, my regular bills/expenses, my IC$ loan repayment, money for Christmas savings, and money that I need to save up $3000 for a trip to Venice and Paris next summer!  With my budget set, I don't spend frivolously and that ensures that they money is in my bank account to pay the bills as they arrive, rather than putting them off and forgetting.  Plus, the paycheck planner we created covers everything.

Chris Cook is the AmeriCorps VISTA at Salem-Keizer Community Development Corporation (SKCDC).  Hailing from Charleston, South Carolina, she made the big move this summer after landing her position as an Oregon Micro-entrepreneur Network (OMEN) Asset Building Corps Member at Salem Keizer CDC and deciding that the Willamette Valley seemed like an ideal location. We sat down with Chris to learn more about her work at SKCDC and partnership with Innovative Changes.

Salem-Keizer CDC's mission is to help low and moderate income families attain financial self sufficiency through the provision of safe, stable, quality affordable housing, financial asset building opportunities and community & resident services.  At SKCDC, Chris coordinates financial education programs, is working to build an asset management plan for Salem-Keizer properties, and researches and develops processes for fundraising and volunteer engagement.

With three months on the job under her belt, Chris says that so far, she has "enjoyed meeting other people in non profit world, seeing the prevalence of VISTAs in the community and what they do after their year of service, and seeing how people have started partnerships and are working together to make positive things happen."

Innovative Changes got the chance to connect with Chris and SKCDC in September when Sarah and Carmina hit the road to Salem to facilitate a Training of the Trainers (ToT) session in our Financial Household Resiliency Curriculum. At this training Salem-Keizer employees and volunteers from local financial institutions gathered to delve into class content and learn IC$ methods and techniques for facilitating the four-part, eight hour series that covers basic financial management skills.