Lorri O’Neill: My Family’s Journey Towards Purchasing a House
Portland
The Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) worked with Lorri through the Individual Development Account (IDA) by matching her savings account toward her closing costs. The IDA account gave her and her family hope!
Tralice Lewis: Small Business Brings Caring and Community
Portland
With the support of an IDA, Tralice Lewis started Callie’s Custom Hat Wigs, a business that brings together her experience, expertise, and passion for serving her community and helping others. Inspired by her mother, a hospice nurse who had spent years helping people feel comfortable, as well as childhood visits to Mrs. C’s Wigs, a Black-owned business that had thrived in Northeast Portland for 30 years before its closure, Tralice seeks to create a safe space that offers education and support as people navigate deeply personal concerns related to their hair.
Crystal Granger: A Debt-Free Education Provides a Seed to Build Generational Wealth
Portland
With the help of an IDA, Crystal Granger was able to go to college debt free, which then paved the way for her to buy a home.
Granger came across a sign inviting readers to “Earn $50 by participating in a financial health class.” She signed up for the class at Bradley Angle, an IDA partner of CASA of Oregon. At the end of the course, class participants were introduced to the IDA program. She comments, “It opened up this door that was huge for me: The life changing IDA program.”
Courtney Nolta: The Ability to Belong
La Pine
For Courtney Nolta, the road to homeownership began with the support and resources of her local public housing agency. After 3 years, Nolta was successful in buying a home in La Pine in March 2020. “It changed the trajectory of my life and my mother’s life. It has to have had an impact for my son too,” she states. When we remove the barriers that Oregonians with low incomes face in finding housing they can afford, close to work and schools, we create communities where all can thrive.
Tanya Golden: Growing Community
North Plains
Building and sustaining a business requires a lot of support. Through the Microenterprise program at Native American and Youth Family Center (NAYA) and with help from an IDA, Tanya Golden is cultivating a business, Golden Tradition Saffron Company, that achieves her vision of work that is dignified and self-sufficient.
Jenifer Crow: Supported Saving Leads to Resilience in the Face of Wildfire Emergency
Lyons
After years of weathering struggles and an inability to pay bills, Jenifer Crow, her husband, and four children have become financially secure homeowners. Layered public services, including the federal Family Self Sufficiency program and the Oregon IDA Initiative—both of which focus on building savings habits, supported their transformation.
Success Story: Tiffany
– Tiffany