In a room tucked away in the Bridgeport Art Center, a young woman is reflecting on her last year. Using stamps and a small booklet, she’s recounting all of the ups and downs of 2018. For her, 2018 was about growth, about knowledge, about building her life.
This year, she can buy gifts for her children and family with her own money. She recently acquired dental insurance for the first time, and is making plans for a big trip in the near future. At the bottom, a list of the hardships that she has experienced during the past year – hardships that she overcame.
“This is about hard work, and I’m proud of what I put into this program and into myself.”
Last month, she and about two dozen other women – most of them mothers – celebrated a milestone. Each one of these women have spent the last year working with Heartland Alliance’s Asset Building program, learning new techniques and habits to help them save money and increase their wealth.
Each of the graduates have saved over 900 dollars in the bank, with an average of approximately $1,400 in each savings account at the end of the year. With Nearly 70% of adults having less than $1,000 in their savings accounts – and almost a third of all Americans without any savings at all – these women have much to celebrate.
For Andres Serrano and Mercedes Guiterrez, Asset Building team coordinators, the chance to inspire and educate such a dedicated group of women was an honor.
“We all have ups and downs, and building wealth can be one of the hardest things a person can do. But it’s so important, and we’re all in this together.” Said Andres.
Without a doubt, the challenges of making ends meet can be difficult for all of us – and this group of graduates had their fair share to overcome. From single parents to new immigrants, from non-native English speakers to new entries in the workforce, the women of the Asset Building program have achieved much in just a year.
As one of the graduates mentioned during the reflection period of the program, the difference from where these women started to where they are now is vast.
“As immigrants, we have to learn everything from scratch. We do things so differently in other parts of the world. Not only are we learning how to save and build, but we have learned to do it well.”
For many of the graduates, the single most important lesson learned this year wasn’t something technical – but emotional. These women have developed more than just knowledge, they’ve developed a confidence – and that confidence will carry on into real success. These are individuals who are ready to take on challenges, and meet them head on.
“I’m lucky to be here. I’ve had challenges, no doubt – but I’ve also had real triumphs, especially when it comes to my savings,” said recent graduate Diane. “The Asset Building team taught me to appreciate all of the wins, big or little – and that it all counts toward the bigger picture”
