Opportunity Passport - Fostering Advocates Arizona

Family is what makes a home

August 17, 2016 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

BrandyHouseImage

As a full time student, marketing assistant at a local travel agency, and a first time mom to a two year old daughter, Brandy believes housing stability is fundamental to supporting her life goals. As a participant in the Opportunity Passport™ program, Brandy saved her hard earned money for upcoming moving costs. Just as her lease was about to expire, something wonderful happened.

“Opportunity Passport™ matched my $1,000 savings for a total of $2,000 to make a down payment and first month’s rent on a house that is right across from my family. It is wonderful as my daughter and I walk across the street to have coffee with them.”

Brandy explained that being in foster care is not by choice but by circumstance and youth who have experienced foster care often have little support.

It is really comforting to know there are programs willing to help youth like Opportunity Passport™ and be the financial cushion and that many parents provide youth who are not in foster care. I am grateful for Opportunity Passport™ as the program helped me transition into another stage of my life and it is empowering to know there are people who are willing to help us move forward.”

Stefani’s Opportunity Passport™ Match!

June 27, 2016 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

AllAboard_oppass “All aboard” is a phrase Stefani is very accustomed to. As a working mother of two, wife, student, and Board member of FAAZ, Stefani is constantly on the go! Before Opportunity Passport™, having one vehicle made it difficult for Stefani and her husband, Luis, to juggle their busy schedules between their two jobs and parenting responsibilities.

“When Luis was at work I would wait up until midnight, have to wake up our kids, and then pick him up from work.”

As a participant in the program, Stefani)oppPass Stefani had her eyes and wallet set on purchasing a vehicle.

“We knew we wanted to buy a car so we saved $3,000 and with Opportunity Passports™ asset match we put a $6,000 down payment on a 2007 Nissan Altima! Having a vehicle has helped tremendously from sharing parenting roles and being accountable at work. I use it for everything; getting to school, work, daycare, the grocery store, the list goes on!”

With help from the Opportunity Passport™ coordinator, Stefani’s family learned about responsibilities of purchasing a car and how to cut back on expenses to save.

“There is a lot to consider when buying a car such as the expenses of gas and insurance. I learned to do your research before purchasing a car. It’s a big commitment!”

Click here and meet other youth like Stefani. Hear how their savings has paid off in BIG ways!

“Those Three Numbers Say A Lot About You”

May 26, 2016 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

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They say wisdom comes with age, which rings true for Eliah as he’s realized early on that, “those three numbers say a lot about you.”

The three numbers Eliah is referring to are an individual’s FICO credit score.

“As I have gotten older, and now that I have a family, I have come to realize how important a good credit score is and how it impacts so many things.”

Opportunity Passport™ participant Eliah is going BIG and using his full savings match of $3,000 to build his credit.

“Building my credit is essential as it helps with obtaining and maintaining assets in the future, including getting a low interest loan for a car and a house. Not to mention, employers can pull your credit score so it ultimately impacts your employment.”

Eliah is one of the many young adults in Opportunity Passport™ to apply the savings strategies learned from the program to purchase an approved asset to help with financial stability.

“The Opportunity Passport™ program was VERY helpful for me as it taught me how to budget my money, evaluate my expenses, and to recognize the difference between my ‘wants’ and ‘needs’. It also taught me the importance of saving money for a rainy day in case an emergency happened. It’s not about me anymore it’s about my kids.”

Find out how YOU can “Sponsor A Youth” and help a young adult like Eliah purchase a life changing asset.

Cruisin with Opportunity Passport!

May 19, 2016 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

A participant of Opportunity Passport™, Blake is among 11 young adults in the program to save their hard earned money and purchase a vehicle with the support of the programs match funds.

The Opportunity Passport™ program helped me to accomplish my goals by matching the $1,100 I saved, for a total of $2,200, as a down payment to purchase my very own vehicle.”

Once Blake bought his car, he was better equipped to search and apply for employment. It was not long after he made his purchase that he got a job with a local business.

“Having the support of the program helped me a lot!” With one-on-one assistance from staff, Blake learned how to research used cars values through Kelly Bluebook to make sure he was purchasing a reliable car.

As a youth who has experienced foster care, it is easy to get stuck in limbo. If it was not for Casey Family Programs referring me to Opportunity Passport™, securing the match-funds and getting guidance from the Opportunity Passport™ staff, it would have been difficult to accomplish what I have today.”

Blake is now saving to move into his own apartment and is planning on using the rest of his match funds from the program to help pay for the security deposit and additional move in costs.

Find out how you can sponsor a youth like Blake by clicking here!

Opportunity Passport: Honesty’s Bus Farewell

March 24, 2016 by FAAZWebII Leave a Comment

For Honesty Adams, purchasing her first vehicle with the support of Opportunity Passport was not only a privilege but also a necessity.

Having a vehicle provided me the opportunity to get to my job with Ulta, the make-up store, as well as maintain that employment now that I have reliable transportation. Sometimes I am required to travel from store to store and by having a vehicle I am able to fulfill my job requirements.”

With the Opportunity Passport financial literacy and match savings program, Honesty learned the skills of financial management including budgeting, savings, and car buying 101. She had her mind set on making a down payment for a vehicle to allow her to travel back and forth between school and work. “Cynnetta (Opportunity Passport Coordinator) was very helpful through the whole process. She was very attentive, guided me through the checklist of purchasing a vehicle, and connected me to a trusted dealership.”

By applying the money saving strategies she learned through Opportunity Passport, it was not long before Honesty saved $2,000. With the $2,000 match funds from the program, she had a down payment of $4,000 for her new 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid.

Where I came from, nobody helped me, but the Opportunity Passport program did. Without their help I would not have been able to make a down payment to purchase a vehicle. Now I have employment stability and access to opportunities that I may have never had without their support.”

Click to hear more stories from youth like Honesty on how Opportunity Passport has helped further their educational and employment goals leading to a brighter future.

“When Luis was at work I would wait up until midnight, have to wake up our kids, and then pick him up from work.”

“There is a lot to consider when buying a car such as the expenses of gas and insurance. I learned to do your research before purchasing a car. It’s a big commitment!”

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