Family and community mean a lot to Kimberly. She is a proud mother of two and Nana to nine grandchildren. After working in the paralegal and social work fields, Kimberly now uses her time, experience, and voice to support and advocate for herself and others.
Kimberly first heard about Working Credit in 2022 after seeing an insert in her utility bill. She wanted to improve her credit so she could qualify for CareCredit and get the dental work she needed.
At the time, Kimberly’s credit score was 554. She began working with Credit Building Counselor Ramiro and later continued with Senior Credit Building Counselor Judy. The journey took a little more than two years, but Kimberly stayed focused. She opened two credit cards and a credit building loan, paid off her other debts, and took steps to have her student loans discharged due to a total and permanent disability.
One of the biggest lessons she learned was the importance of staying consistent. “Consistency in making and following a realistic budget is the key lesson I learned from both Ramiro and Judy,” Kimberly shared.
That consistency paid off. Kimberly raised her credit score from 554 to 694, a 140-point increase.
Ramiro also encouraged Kimberly to join Working Credit’s Participant Advisory Council (PAC). She was excited for the opportunity to share her experience, learn more, and help strengthen the program. “My experience with PAC has been incredible, to say the least,” she said. “It has been a school without walls or limitations, providing an arsenal of priceless information and resources.”
Kimberly finished her term on the council in May 2026, and we truly appreciate everything she brought to PAC. Her time, honesty, and willingness to share helped build and strengthen the council while deepening our connection with the community.
For anyone who may be unsure about enrolling in Working Credit, Kimberly has a simple message: “Nothing beats failure but a try! What do you have to lose? Taking that first step could help you build a stronger credit score.”
