A Hard Road for the Poor in
Need of Cars

The L.A. Times (November 3, 2011)

Ways to Work in Milwaukee, among the nation's largest such programs, has offices in 20 states and finances about 1,400 auto sales a year. It makes auto loans at 8% interest to people with low incomes and poor credit scores. Borrowers must be parents, and are required to complete a financial counseling course before being handed the car keys.

Canton, Ohio: A Minor Sum,
a Major Help

$1,518.15. That's what it took to turn around Joyce Sumlin's life. Just a little more than $1,500 helped a single mother avoid a possible bankruptcy and go on to become head of an Ohio-based nonprofit that works to help others turn their lives around.

Message from the President

Welcome to the first edition of The Key, the new Ways to Work network newsletter. As we mark the start of a new year, we celebrate the milestones and unprecedented growth of the past two years, where we saw our network nearly double in size thanks to our stakeholders, funders and network partners across the nation.

Wheels of Fortune: Salvation Army Promotes Ways to Work Program

Chicago Tribune (September 27, 2011)

With the help of one nonprofit, Katrina Lias, 31, was able to afford a two-bedroom apartment in Bronzeville. But she still lacked reliable transportation to get to and from work, where she was required to visit eight Head Start sites throughout the city.

Addressing the Barriers to Employment

The Tampa Tribune (December 27, 2011)

In Florida, Ways to Work is part of a statewide collaboration known as The Florida Prosperity Partnership (FPP). It is made up of more than 140 organizations providing a range of services, including low-cost car loans, financial literacy programs, money management training, free income tax preparation — all offered to promote financial stability and job retention for low-to-moderate income Floridians.

Ways to Work Program Opens in Atlanta

JF&CS — Your Tools for Living (April 2011)

The national "Ways to Work" car loan program, which has provided affordable car loans to families for more than 20 years, is now available to help working families in Atlanta.

Upcoming Program Launch Events

• Matrix Human Services & Spectrum Child and Family Services — Detroit, Mich., March 26
• South Florida Urban Ministries — Miami, Fla., March 27
• Family Matters of Greater Washington — Washington, D.C., April 10

For more information contact Linda Brost, Vice President of Business Development and Marketing, 414-213-3045.