2018 Annual Support

Like you, Leonardo and Vilma want something more to provide their children with the best possible chance for success. And, through your support of Community Action’s work, you helped them do just that.

Whenever a participant walks through our doors, it is the promise of Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties and to not only address the primary reason for their visit, but to acutely assess their current circumstances and determine what other programs and resources they might be eligible for. According to Brooke Walker, Director of Community Engagement Programs, "It’s by design that our services work in tandem. Overcoming poverty presents many challenges and requires a variety of resources and support to break down barriers.” Made possible by our supporters, this holistic approach to service is foundational to Community Action and an example of this principle is seen in the story of Leonardo and Vilma. 

With their youngest kids enrolled in Community Action’s Early Head Start (EHS) Program, the couple was referred to the agency’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) clinic in 2015. Community Action’s VITA clinic provides free tax preparation services resulting in refunds to low-income households each year. Leonardo and Vilma were also able to enroll in Community Action’s FAIM (Family Assets for Independence in Minnesota) Program, which assists low-income, working individuals in building assets through Individual Development Accounts (IDAs). As with all FAIM participants, the couple was required to open a savings account and make monthly deposits, which were matched at a three-to-one ratio for a period of 24 months. These savings enable low-wage workers to either purchase a home, pursue post-secondary educational opportunities, or start their own small business.

After two-years, which included the successful completion of Community Action’s comprehensive financial literacy course, Leonard and Vilma’s FAIM account was fully matched and they are in the process of looking for a four-bedroom home. And while it could still be a challenge to find the right home on a limited income, the couple is grateful that such an opportunity exists, particularly for their children. When reflecting on Leonardo and Vilma’s journey here at Community Action, Financial Services Coordinator Beth Kleiter notes, “I could not be any happier for them. They are such loving, hard-working parents who are dedicated to the health, happiness, and future success of their children. This family is so awesome.”  

You can support families like Leonardo and Vilma’s, as they chart their course to financial independence, by donating to our 2018 Annual Support Fund!