Success Stories
Amelia Guillen
Saved $3972 toward her education and toward first-time home
A native of the Dominican Republic, Amelia came to the U.S. in search of greater opportunities for herself and for her family. She didn’t speak any English when she arrived in the U.S. and took her first job at a shoe factory in Lynn, earning about $5 an hour. Describing herself as someone who has always valued education, Amelia enrolled in the Compass IDA program in 2005. She utilized her savings to complete her para-educator certificate at North Shore Community College, and she now works proudly as a teacher’s aide in the Lynn Public Schools. In 2008, she hopes to invest the rest of her IDA savings in a first-time home. Amelia is already talking about her next dream – an advanced degree in social work – and about her aspirations, including college educations, for her two children. Read more...
Amy Robinson
Saved $4000 toward first-time home purchase
Saving was a family affair for Amy and her four children as they worked together toward the dream of owning their first home. Amy loved to boast that she would hang her Compass IDA match statement on the refrigerator each month, as well as pictures of their “dream house,” to motivate and inspire the family. In addition, each family member made individual sacrifices to realize their shared goal. The Robinsons purchased and moved into their own home in December 2006, an early Christmas present for the entire family. In addition to reveling in the joy of owning their first home, the Robinsons concur that the financial knowledge and skills they gained in the program transformed their family’s future. Read more....