Ways to Work Articles

. "A Car + Good Credit = Self Sufficiency." FSA Today Winter 2006 : .

A Car + Good Credit = Self Sufficiency
Families are More Independent and Self Sufficient with the Help of Ways to Work

Winter, 2006
Family Service Association of Bucks County
FSA Today

Each morning most people plan their day around work, school and errands. You get in your car, put on the radio and catch up on news or listen to music for a few minutes. Later, maybe you have to pick up your children from school and take them to football or cheerleading practice. And on your way there, maybe you'll stop by the grocery store and run in for a few items you need to make dinner. You will do all this, and you won't think much about how easy it is for you to get around to do all the things you need to do in a day for your job and your family.

Imagine how it would be if you didn’t have a reliable car. What if it broke down on the way to work? What if your children were cold because you didn’t have any heat? Or worse, you had to rely on someone else - and their schedule, to get you around. Running to the store for 10 minutes isn't possible when you have to catch a bus to get there. You would think to yourself how much easier your life would be with a reliable car. How independent would you be with your own vehicle?

Rachel Callahan along with her two sons, Brandon and Dwayne, know this first-hand. A year ago, they were the ones struggling to get to work and school and to the store. But now that has all changed. Rachel is a participant in our Ways to Work program through which working parents such as Rachel secure low interest car loans for work or school needs.

"Rachel really epitomizes the kind of person we help in this program. She's a single parent doing everything she can for her family but still needs a little help to take the next step to improve her life," says Chris Hall, Ways to Work Coordinator.

But Ways to Work is about more than just buying a car. The car that Rachel bought through this program has given her independence she did not have before.

Rachel had to take the bus or rely on friends and neighbors. She was often late for work or would have to wait a long time for a ride or wait in bad weather. Now she doesn't have that stress. She can get in her car and go. Rachel was even able to get a second job to help pay her bills and save some money. Rachel used all aspects of this program: budgeting and financial counseling, education about credit, and of course, the car. By working hard and making timely payments Rachel improved her credit score by 100 points!

She currently works as a Certified Nursing Assistant at a local assisted living facility and is hoping to go back to school for more healthcare classes.

Rachel's biggest goal for her future is to one day be able to purchase her own home. We are certain she will achieve her dream for her family.