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Transforming Lives
Felecia’s Story
Overcoming challenging
circumstances, Felecia is truly an inspiration and a role
model. The single mother of a five-year old son, she
depended on public assistance and food stamps to make ends
meet. While she had received training as a bookkeeper, she
was never taught to manage her personal finances.
When she enrolled in the
Bethlehem Center’s Individual Development Account program,
she had accumulated $20,000 of consumer debt. As a
participant in the program, she completed a twelve-week
personal money management class. She tracked her income for
a month and developed a budget. During this time, she saved
money in her account and aggressively reduced her debt. At
the end of one year, she had saved $1,000 and had paid off
$9,000 in debt. By completing all of the program
requirements, her savings were matched with an additional
$2,000 to help her purchase a reliable car. During twelve
short months, she had increased her net worth by $12,000.
However, Felecia said it was
the financial training that she received that was the most
valuable part of the program. “Even if I had not received
the matching dollars, the program still would have been
worth it,” Felecia stated. “What I learned was worth more
than the money.” In the future, Felecia would like to become
a certified financial counselor and teach others to manage
money according to God’s principles.
David's Story
David (not his real name) had just completed the 3rd grade
in Chattanooga's public school system when he enrolled in
the Session of the Bethlehem Literacy Academy – Summer along
with about 130 other children. David would be entering the
4th grade in the fall.
On the first day of the 6-week
program, after realizing that the next 6 weeks would be all
about reading and academics, David came to his teacher at
the Literacy Academy in tears. 'Mr. Meredith,' he sobbed,
'I can't read!"
His teacher quickly replied, 'David, I don't ever want to hear that again! You might have
difficulty reading right now, but can't is not a word we use
at the Bethlehem Center.'
Two weeks later David was reading at a 2nd grade-4th month
level, and by the end of the 6 weeks was almost reading at a
level appropriate for his age and grade.
Tiffany's Story
Hi, my name is Tiffany
Kyles and I am 21 years old and I have one child who is my
best friend. I'm going to tell you a little about some of
my goals and expectations in life. One of my biggest goals
is to one day have Home Ownership "Freedom!" I am a young
lady who wants a lot out of life so I continue every day to
work a little harder.
What I am about to say,
a lot of you will agree with. I feel I'm doing all I can
and then some to get a step ahead in life but the harder I
try it seems like I am pushed a step back and its like a bad
dream that I can't escape. Some times I just want to give
up and not do anything and then maybe then I will be
rewarded. But I have to stop and think, "what if I did
that?" The answer is, I'm my own person and I have to look
out for myself, so I'm not going to give up because God has
something better in store for me. So this turns all that
frustration and negativity into something positive and I
work even harder to insure a good future for my son and me.
There is so much to
learn and little did I know that right at my door step was
the answer, The Bethlehem Center! They have a lot to offer
in educational classes that will help you and your family
from how to become a home owner to how to start your own
business. When I got involved it made me have so much more
hope. It feels good to know that there are people who are
willing to put themselves out there to help you in your
future and have a better life. So if you think that no one
loves you, I can tell you that there are people at the
Bethlehem Center that are willing to listen to what you have
to say and give you hope and direction. Don't give up,
anything is possible and I'm going to show you!
Charla Jordan's Letter
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