A single mother came to Commodore Perry FCU overwhelmed and discouraged. With her children’s father incarcerated, she was juggling two jobs, falling behind on rent, frequently overdrawing her account, and unable to break the cycle of paycheck-to-paycheck living. Even so, she maintained an auto loan and direct deposit with us, and when she needed a hand, we offered a Christmas loan to help stabilize her immediate needs. But her challenges continued to grow. She was two months behind on rent, facing mounting bills, and struggling to keep her car on the road.
At a moment when she felt she had nowhere else to turn, Commodore Perry FCU stepped in with a signature loan to cover her back rent and utilities and bring her account current. This gave her a foundation to breathe and begin rebuilding. Together, we created a sustainable budgeting plan, including using two separate checking accounts — one for automatically debited bills and one for everyday expenses. She embraced these changes, and we closed her overdraft protection to help her stay in control. We also connected her with the Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (GLCAP) to support her long-term goal of homeownership.
By fall, she was paying her bills on time and stress-free. Her credit score climbed an incredible 202 points in one year, and her dream of homeownership became real. She completed much of the GLCAP program, saved consistently, and by January, she was financially secure enough to close on her very own Pathways Mortgage.
This story was submitted by Jill Kozlok, Director of Engagement, Commodore Perry FCU.
