Deborah Renfroe, a Money & ME Trainer in Peoria, Illinois, challenged her participants to put a $1.00 a day in an envelope so participants could have $365 in one year. This is just one of the Money & ME concepts taught during the program. Many times people are purchasing something that cost a dollar (soda, gum, or candy bar) on a daily basis and could say “no” to that one item. Everyone who brought back their envelopes with $6.00 in them to show they had saved a $1.00 each day she added another $1.00. This was Deborah’s first time teaching Money & ME. She was so excited to see the participants engage in real, life changing conversations. Twelve participants had signed up for the class and eight people attended. She did the class on two Saturdays and had lunch and snacks for participants and all eight people returned for the second class. The participants have completed (or in the process of completing) the “Coming Together to Get Ahead Program” through the St. Vincent de Paul Society. Everyone brought back their envelopes with $6.00 in them to show they had saved a $1.00 each day.
Deborah shared, “Honestly, my expectations were low. I have tried other money management programs and this one EXCEEDED MY EXPECTATIONS!!! The program was so well thought out and the process easy to follow. The trainer stories allowed me to share my own personal story and relate to the participants in a way that allowed for real communication. Other materials I have used are more complicated and not at this level for greater understanding. The materials were relevant and everyone reported that they felt much better about their understanding of their own finances. I created a group text to remind everyone of the classes, and the Sunday after the class I received a text from one of the participants. It stated, “The coupon thing works! I cut out extra coupons for the group.” It was so exciting to see the participants learning and sharing with each other and forming a healthy support system. We plan to get together in a couple of weeks for a follow up and make laundry detergent!”
Left to right: Marie Batrouni, Michael Jackson, Deborah Renfroe (me), Mary Moore, Gary Ervin, Maria Best, Ebony Green & Pam Wiley.
Our photographer was also a current facilitator, steering committee member for CTGA and local Housing Authority. Nicole Livsey. We thank her for support, assistance and her heart.