IDA Super Stars

	Umpqua Community Development Corporation *Serving Douglas, Coos, and Curry Counties in Southwest Oregon* A Nonprofit Organization
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Meet Some of Our IDA Super Stars

Michelle and her family have been working towards homeownership for a long time. When they started the program Michelle, the only person working in her family, was supporting a household of 5. They had almost $10,000 in old bills to pay off and were very cramped in a 2-bedroom apartment.

In 2006, Michelle visited Umpqua CDC to look into buying a house. Sean, Michelle's husband, had just started working and they were really feeling desperate to move into something larger. Unfortunately her husband’s credit needed some work, and he needed more time on the job in order to qualify for a good loan.

Fast forward to August 1, 2007, Michelle and Shawn cleared up all of their credit and were approved for an FHA loan. They found a wonderful house in Roseburg that is close to work and in a great location. They made an offer and it was accepted! Using their Dream$avers money for the earnest money and down payment allowed Michelle and her family to move into their first home, pay their 3% required down payment, and can now say they are debt free (all except for their mortgage)!

“I had a dream of owning my own home. My husband and I had some hurtles to overcome but we are now homeowners. We are thankful for all the time and effort that was given us to help along the way.

Thank you, the Patterson Family.”

Tom Tanzi came to the Dream$avers program from an outreach of Umpqua CDC's Financial Fitness classes at the SCILS Center (a center dedicated to servicing disabled clients). He signed up for the Dream$avers program to go into business for himself.

A long time artist of several mediums, Tom desired to give his musical art more devoted attention. His business plan was to expand his website to include his music for sale by purchasing better equipment to create music with. He also wanted to create CDs for sale that he could take to his professional gigs.

In Tom's words... "For a growing number of us who truly have a need to support ourselves by being our own boss or whose goal it is to generate income from a small business rather than work for an employer, there exist ups and downs like any other avenue of life. Today I get to relate one of the "ups" that happened along the way. Umpqua CDC's Dream$avers program is a boost toward achieving more self-efficiency and well worth the "effort". This key word, "effort" should pose no challenge to those in small business because it exists whether working for an employer or for ones self.

All this leads to another key, 'appreciation.' I believe it is an obligation in order to get ahead. By feeling obliged to work hard for those who have offered a helping hand, one shows appreciation. Hard work propels one, but appreciation is the true success. I haven't done anything unordinary, but when opportunity was there, I was appreciative by putting forth the effort and now I have the tools I need to generate income in the future.

With thanks to Umpqua's CDC!"

Phoenix School students, Nye Beamer and Lupe Salazar, living below the poverty line want to make a difference by helping those living in poverty in another country. Both students were inspired by the documentary, "Invisible children." The film follows children in northern Uganda who spend their nights walking or huddled together to avoid the Lord's Republican Army, which forces children into military service in the rebel army.

The students went to their teachers, Jennifer Jackson and Thomas McGregor, wanting to help the children in Uganda. The teachers looked for a place where Americans can volunteer and found Rift Valley Children's Village in Tanzania.

Lupe and Nye went to work raising funds. They started savings accounts through Umpqua CDC's DreamSavers program, where their money was matched with $2 for every $1 they saved. They both have jobs, sell candy and raffle tickets, and even help with other fundraising efforts. They also spent time volunteering at the local Boys & girls Club to learn how to work with children.

Nye and Lupe used their 3A's funds to purchase their plane
tickets to go to Africa.

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