Adelante presents ‘Possible Dream’ program

On June 1, 2009, Toledo’s Adelante, Inc. launched Credit Yourself: The Way to Financial Fitness as part of the Possible Dream program, which is a four week program designed to encourage people to save money, build wealth, and reduce debt—Adelante’s goal is to reach 100 individuals/households. 

Students receive free financial management education and supportive services; its topics include: budgeting and spending habits, understanding credit and credit reports, improving credit scores, short and long term financial planning, and recognizing predatory lending.  But the program doesn’t just offer classes, participants are given one-on-one support for a full year to help them reach their short-term savings goal and ensure they remain on track with their budgets/spending plans.

“Our families and our community cannot wait for a miracle to help them overcome their current financial barriers and challenges. As the old Chinese proverb goes: Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.

“We want to teach people how to overcome their financial challenges and become financially savvy,” says Sonia Troche, Executive Director of Adelante. “This is a wonderful opportunity to partner with other entities such as The Greater Toledo Urban League, The Friendly Center, Family Promise and other local agencies to address the need of financial literacy in our community. We are honored to have been selected…to deliver this program,” Troche continued. 

Individuals interested in participating in the Possible Dream program, which was partially made possible through a donation from Cleveland-based KeyBank, should contact Adelante’s Lupe Siewert at 419-244-8440 or by email at [email protected]. 

The sessions are currently being held at The Friendly Center, 1324 N Superior Street, Toledo, OH 43604 on Tuesdays from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM; at Adelante, Inc., 520 Broadway Street, Toledo, OH 43604 on Fridays from 1:30 to 3:00 PM; other days and times soon to be available at The Greater Toledo Urban League.  This program is free and open to the public.