A single mother from Columbus worked a staggering 70 hours a week at two jobs to save for a down payment for a house.
She diligently repaired her credit and saved what she needed while raising three children, including navigating resources for a child with a disability. She was finalizing the home-buying process when climbing interest rates required her to come up with an extra $500 she did not have.
A new fund started by Women United of United Way of Bartholomew County was able to salvage her dream of home ownership.
Women United, a philanthropic society of United Way of Bartholomew County, has launched the Women United: Funding Tomorrow fund. This fund is designed to help single mothers overcome barriers so that they can reach their full potential.
The fund can be accessed for help with barriers related to employment or stable housing.
Single mothers who apply for use of the fund must enroll in United Way’s Avenues to Opportunity program or pay the loan back with no interest. United Way’s Avenues to Opportunity program assists individuals with job and life skills, such as budget coaching.
Women United started the fund after group conversations led society members to focus their impact on helping single mothers who may just need a small boost to reach self-sufficiency.
“Single mothers are among the hardest working demographic in Columbus, but some of them face economic situations that are out of their control,” said Avril Schutte, leader of Women United. “This fund can be a catalyst in removing some of their barriers. We see this fund as an opportunity to support an integral member of our community’s workforce.”
Donations to the fund can be made by going to uwbarthco.org, clicking on “Get Involved” and then “Women United Fund: Funding Tomorrow,” or by going to https://www.classy.org/give/473893/#!/donation/checkout.
