We help our customers to achieve financial freedom and housing stability. Many have attained educational and career goals, become homeowners, avoided foreclosure, and improved their household finances through the programs and services offered by NWU.
“I never thought I would go to school. I never thought I would buy a home… and then it happened,” remarked new graduate and first-time homebuyer Sarah Pollack, in amazement. As the single mother of a son with cerebral palsy, Sarah had a hard time saving money, as she was not able to work full time and care for her son. She experienced financial barriers due to dropping out of high school.
Sarah worked as a teacher without benefits and could not find better job opportunities without a high school education. She knew getting a better job would put her on the path to financial wellness and give her the flexibility to care for her son. Getting on this path meant that she needed to finish high school and save enough money for college.
First Steps to Financial Freedom
Her first step was a call to NeighborWorks Umpqua, through which she worked on setting up a small savings account and building her credit. In a few months she transferred the money she saved to an educational savings plan, and soon thereafter finished her GED and then started taking courses at the local community college.
Not long after completing her initial education goal, her financial coach called with great news: Sarah had done so well in her saving program that she was eligible for additional money. Her coach told her to “dream big,” and asked if she was interested in applying the additional funds towards buying a home.
She obtained a pre-approval letter for an FHA loan in the Fall of 2020, but she found herself competing against multiple buyers--including buyers with cash offers. Sarah’s NWU coach ran her credit again and helped her qualify for a conventional loan. She applied for the loan and benefitted from a lower interest rate which saved her money on her monthly payments. Then she received an inside lead to a home that was not yet on the market through a business partner in her new job. The upcoming seller was willing to work with Sarah to negotiate the sale of the home.
Enjoying the Fruits of Financial Success
She now enjoys living in an established community in Medford where she can see birds outside her window while she works and take afternoon walks in the neighborhood. She has enough yard space to grow vegetables and sit under the shade of her heart shaped eucalyptus tree.
Soon after, Sarah completed a bachelor’s degree in accounting, graduating with honors. A large company in the northwest region hired her in an entry level accounting position, in which she could further expand her knowledge while studying for the CPA exam. She loves that she found a job where she can help people, as she was helped, as a “counselor of money.”
Sarah passed on the principles of saving and good spending habits that she learned from NeighborWorks Umpqua to her son. He learned to save money and budget so that he could purchase a practical, stable car for work and school.
“I would not be in this house today if it were not for NeighborWorks Umpqua – I am so grateful. I do not have the means to help my son alone as a single parent. This program has done wonders for our lives. It’s an amazing program – changes peoples’ lives.”
Roseburg Office:
605 SE Kane St. Roseburg OR, 97470
Call Us: (541) 673-4909
Fax: 541-673-5023
North Bend Office:
1992 Sherman Ave. North Bend OR, 97459
Call Us: (541)-756-1000
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NeighborWorks Umpqua is an Equal Opportunity Provider
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