Providing Hope for a Better Tomorrow
"One door closes and another one opens." These
are the words of Paula Erdmann, Executive Director of Tri-County Action Program (TriCAP), in speaking about how Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota (FAIM) helps those in need of opportunities. When a door closes in a person's life, whether that means foreclosure on one's home or not being able to raise the sufficient funds to afford another semester at college, TriCAP is there to provide financial assistance.
Paula has been working at TriCAP since 1976. She began her work there as an intern, then was hired on full-time and served as Program Director for the following 22 years. She was promoted to Executive Director, a position she has held for the past 10 years. In 2004, Paula and her colleagues at TriCAP started the FAIM program.
FAIM is a federally designated Community Action Program for Benton, Sherburne and Stearns counties in Central Minnesota and is a partner program of United Way of Central Minnesota. It works to create and expand opportunities for the economic and social well-being of area residents and the development of local communities. More specifically, the FAIM program assists low-to-moderate-income working adults save money for higher education, home purchase, or starting a small business. What FAIM aims to do is offer a little extra boost to people on the fringes of financial stability who are looking to make that leap, but need just a bit of help to get there. They do this by encouraging people to save up to $40 per month and then matching that amount to a 3 to 1 ratio (state and federal funding are used to do this). In doing so, many people are given opportunities to fulfill the dreams and desires that they have. Ultimately, TriCAP hopes to empower area residents to successfully achieve their goals of economic self-sufficiency.
Paula has much to be proud of in her 33 years at TriCAP; she has seen many people benefit greatly from the services they offer. Paula "Lives United" by helping individuals and families become financially stable. She sees her work as largely helping people transitioning in their lives: from high school education to a college degree; from aspiring entrepreneur to making that dream business a reality; from unstable living situation to full homeownership. This ongoing dedication to building financial assets for the long term stability of all members of the community is what has driven Paula for all of these years. How do you Live United?
www.tricap.org 
I LIVE UNITED by volunteering with United Way's Success By 6 which improves the lives of the youngest members of our community.
helping to promote the availability of free tax sites and build awareness of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). People can qualify for free tax preparation if they meet the following requirements:
