When Amber connected with Working Credit, she was looking for a way to improve her credit and address outstanding bills that were holding her back. Referred by her case manager, Yvonne Pena, at the Office of Returning Citizens, Amber began working with her credit building counselor, Derison, and quickly learned the importance of paying bills on time and staying committed to her financial goals. Those efforts paid off. Today, her credit score stands at 657, and she achieved one of her biggest milestones: securing her own apartment.
Now, Amber is focused on building an even stronger financial future. Her next goal is to lease or purchase a new car, and she continues to apply the lessons she learned through Working Credit every day. She encourages anyone beginning their credit building journey to start with small, achievable goals. “Set goals, no matter how small they are,” she says. “Accomplishing those goals makes you feel good about yourself and motivates you to keep going.” She also reflects on the importance of facing change, sharing that once she moved beyond her fear of trying something new, she was able to keep moving forward.
Outside of her financial journey, Amber enjoys Zumba and has been dancing for eight years. She hopes to become a certified Zumba instructor, a goal that reflects the same determination that has guided her credit journey. Looking back, Amber is grateful for the support she received through Working Credit and the Office of Returning Citizens. “My quality of life has improved, and every task I’ve accomplished has helped me move forward,” she says. “I’m grateful for all of it.”
