Member Spotlight: Economic Empowerment

Lina, Logrando Juntos Member

Lina became interested in Sacred Heart’s financial workshop called “Logrando Juntos” after her mother, who graduated from this workshop, told her about her positive and engaging experience. Lina completed all workshops and expressed interest in teaching specific sessions; such as, budgeting, understanding credit, and money habits. Lina’s strong financial literacy background came from personal experience. Lina’s mother is disabled and has other health issues. Lina is the first child of an immigrant couple who lives very modestly; they budget and prioritize expenses and specific household needs. Lina learned from her parents at a young age about the importance of saving for rainy days and entrepreneurship. She understood how building credit plays an essential role when seeking housing, applying to a card, and/or getting a loan. She started her credit history with a store card and educated herself by searching online about how to build credit, interest rates, and default payments. She has worked with a Financial Coach at Sacred Heart to develop new financial strategies to save and to increase her credit score. LIna’s goal is to become a business owner – she currently works as a certified and trained barber at a salon and has gained personal clients. When the Individual Development Account (IDA) program was introduced in September 2021, Lina became part of this pilot program to save as much as possible, to keep working with a financial coach, and to support other women who are also saving. She has become a respected leader in the IDA program, and a strong role model for those who are attending Logrando Juntos and want to meet their short term financial goals with the support of Lina. Lina holds an Associate Degree from Gavilan College.