New Skills Promote Independence
Learning how to save and establishing a positive credit score were important steps toward self-reliance for Ina, a graduate of the San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC) Achievement Academy’s Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program.
“It definitely showed me I can do more than what I thought I could do for myself,” Ina said of FSS. “It gave me confidence and to just know that I can just go ahead and set my mind to do something and accomplish it.”
A working single-mother who lives in City Heights, Ina said her accomplishments in FSS set a good example for her two teenage daughters. They took pride in her success as she sought a better job.
FSS helped Ina craft a successful resume and compelling cover letters. She went from working part-time as a telemarketer to working as a hostess for a local university and a bank teller.
Ina, who has received federal rental assistance from SDHC for 12 years, had no credit before enrolling in FSS and would rely on her parents when making larger purchases.
With help from SDHC, she worked on establishing – and maintaining – good credit. She was even able to purchase new furniture on her own, and is proud of the accomplishment.
Ina graduated from FSS in 2017 and is saving money to purchase a home.
“I’m very grateful for them,” Ina said of the SDHC workforce readiness specialists who helped her. “Because of them, I’m able to be where I’m at now.”
