We met and got to speak with Jasmine at the Enclave Apartments holiday party. The community was abuzz with children running here and there, neighbors enjoying each others’ company, and way too much delicious food.
Jasmine has lived at Enclave for four years—ever since she lost her home as the result of divorce. It was a home that she built from the ground up after going through the New Century IDA program.
Run by Experiment in Self Reliance and supported by a number of non-profit organizations in Winston-Salem, including United Way of Forsyth County, the purpose of New Century IDA is to promote personal, economic, and financial self-sufficiency. They do this through building assets, reducing debt, promoting savings, improving credit, and developing financial literacy skills. The organization prides itself on helping members of our community break the cycle of poverty.
Jasmine credits IDA and the classes she took over the course of nearly two years with helping her save money, pay off bills, and build her home. IDA showed her to how to build credit and save. According to Jasmine, “The program helps you get to the next level.”
This holiday season, she feels blessed to have qualified and been accepted into the program for a second time. This go around, her goal is to start her own business—a line of organic beauty products she hopes to create and market.
Her best friend told Jasmine about IDA. And, in turn, she shares the word every chance she gets.