As a single mother of six, my main priority has always been to show up as the best mother for my children. But after becoming the sole financial provider for my family a couple years ago, my faith wavered in my ability to provide and create a stable future for my children — one where we didn’t have to constantly worry about bills and finances. Since joining WANDA, I’ve gained the resources and confidence to bring my family to financial freedom and stability.
I first heard about WANDA from another mom in a local parenting class. She shared an advertisement for the program, stating that it might be helpful to me. After doing some research, what pulled me into the programming was the opportunity to take financial literacy classes and career building workshops, and that the program was curated specifically for single mothers. I have always been interested in personal development and learning how I can better save for the future, and now joining WANDA would give me that opportunity,
But I also had some reservations. I feared that I wouldn’t be able to take the time to focus on the program and participate every month, since I already had a busy schedule. Or that I would even be able to finish the program due to my past financial struggles. Despite these hesitations, I decided to apply, and I am forever grateful for that decision.
Being a part of WANDA has shown me that there can be success for women like me. Attending classes that were led by women who have been in similar situations and yet have made breakthroughs in their financial journeys was inspiring to see. It made me excited to join the classes each month, and connect with women who can relate to the isolating feeling of being a single mother with multiple children.
For years I tried to build my savings, but each time I would start, I would need to dip into it instead of letting it grow. With WANDA I gained an accountability partner, allowing me to push past my challenges and stay consistent with my savings. This resulted in reaching my goal and receiving my matching grant, an achievement I never thought I would accomplish.
Thanks to WANDA, I’ve also begun to celebrate my wins, both big and small. In the past I would write out my goals and downplay when I would reach them. But through these classes, I’ve learned to celebrate instead and enjoy the process while taking the time to be proud of my financial journey.
I’ve learned that it’s not about making a lot of money, but knowing how to manage it well. These are the types of insights and lessons that I will share with my children. I hope that in witnessing my financial journey, they too can start to create a bright financial future for themselves.
As a family, I’ve even begun to implement some of my teachings from WANDA into our everyday lives, like calculating our grocery items to stay on budget and creating vision boards to plan for what they want in the future.
Joining WANDA has changed my life and I’m so excited to see what is in store for my future. There are so many possibilities and opportunities on my horizon, and now, because of WANDA, I have the confidence and resources to go after them.