Sherrie’s Story

“I had to discipline myself mentally and emotionally. I just made up my mind that I was going to accomplish these goals.”

Congratulations to Sherrie, who graduated from the Project BRIDGE Program in May 2015. Sherrie came to the Program after attending one of ODB’s Financial Literacy Program offerings, the “Thrifty Thursdays” Basic Budgeting Class.  At the time, Sherrie was working as an office manager for a large healthcare organization. She was in debt after having taken out three payday loans and not truly realizing the terms of such loans.  She knew she needed help and was ready to take the responsibility of learning how to not only pay these debts off but how to truly be financially stable.  Upon entering PB, Sherrie’s three main financial goals were: 1) Financial stability; 2) Paying off payday loans; and 3) Find a better paying job.

[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rsaapssdxm4&feature=youtu.be]

Sherrie worked hard with her volunteer Financial Mentor, Ken Kozloff, to learn how to prepare a budget and how to accept financial accountability. “I had to discipline myself mentally and emotionally. I just made up my mind that I was going to accomplish these goals.” She says to future PB clients that ODB’s staff, along with support programs that clients are enrolled in such as Food Bridge supplemental food assistance, are “truly there to help you succeed in life.”  She has learned that “I can do and accomplish anything with a strong support team.  Support and resources are the key. I could not have done it without the great resources provided to me, and my mentor.”