Although San Mateo County is seen as an area with affluent people, it is also full of different socio-economic classes and family dynamics, like single mothers such as myself. Living in San Mateo County for over 13 years, while raising my two children and providing support for my nieces and nephews, I have experienced firsthand the stigmas that are associated with living in the Bay Area.
Joining WANDA last year gave me the opportunity to connect with other women in the county—single mothers who have similar backgrounds and can relate to the experiences I’ve had. It is inspiring to witness all the wonderful moms in our sessions, who have other obligations and priorities, but are still working to make a difference in their lives through WANDA.
It was at one of my WANDA sessions that I first learned of the one-time rent assistance and budgeting refresh initiative available for single moms living in District 2. I didn’t know much about Measure K, the San Mateo County grant program, but WANDA presented it as a unique opportunity so I applied.
The grant initiative was introduced to me at the perfect time — my daughter had recently started college and we had a lot of new financial expenses added to our lives. The additional assistance gave me a chance to catch up on a few bills and pay for my daughter’s flight home from college. It created a bit of a cushion in my budget, enabling me to pay my rent that month without having to resort to using my credit cards.
Since I’ve joined WANDA’s program, I have been very proud of what I have accomplished over the past year, including saving money and sticking to the goals I set for myself. Changing financial behaviors, like going out to eat less and being mindful of my credit card spending, have made a big difference in my financial journey.
The sessions on financial literacy and career coaching have also impacted my career in social services, and has led me to enroll as a student at California State University, East Bay to further my education. During each session WANDA offers, I look forward to connecting with the moms in my cohort and hearing from amazing speakers. So many of us are going through similar journeys as new or continuing students, and it’s been great to learn about different academic opportunities and scholarships that could benefit us all.
WANDA’s financial literacy classes provide me with access to resources that I now share with my daughter. I now have taught her about the importance of saving, how to utilize different accounts such as 401(k)s, and other strategies to maximize your money. Thanks to WANDA’s resources, we both understand how to save for the future and what to use those funds for.
In the next couple of years, I see myself and my daughter as college graduates and continuing to take steps to achieve my ultimate goal of becoming a homeowner.
For any single moms out there just trying to get back on their feet or better understand what their next move is in life, WANDA can help provide you with information on personal development, financial awareness, and financial literacy that you need to grow. WANDA can help open doors for you, teach you how to get started, and help you along the way — making sure you never feel alone in the process.