Success Story

Springfield Partners for Community Action has helped Kim Rivera achieve the American Dream of homeownership.

Ms. Rivera took advantage of Springfield Partners’ Individual Development Account (IDA) program. After a year of stashing some cash from her paycheck into an IDA savings account every week, she had $2,000 saved. Her $2,000 was double-matched, giving her a $6,000 down payment on her Habitat-built home at 75 Pomona Street in Springfield.

She and her family moved into their new Forest Park home in December 2009.

“Homeownership was important to me because I wanted to make sure my children had a stable home,” she said recently from the three-bedroom house she shares with two adult children.

“I went through homelessness in my younger years, and I didn’t want that for my kids.”

For Ms. Rivera, a parent facilitator at Brunton School in Springfield and a residential aide at Sullivan & Associates, helping people is second nature. A few years ago, she decided it was time to help herself reach her goal of homeownership. She applied to Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity and started her own IDA at Springfield Partners.

As an IDA program participant, Ms. Rivera learned about money and credit management at Financial Fitness workshops, and discovered the importance of owning property.

“It’s important to have a home as an asset, because it’s important that you have assets. I was never taught that when I was young,” she said.

Ms. Rivera urged people to take advantage of Springfield Partners for Community Action’s programs.

“How many places do you know that are going to help you get the American Dream?” she said. “I tell everybody about the IDA program. It’s a golden opportunity.”