FSS Newsletter :: April 2002

Quote of the Month
"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant."

--Robert Louis Stevenson

FSS Participation Allows Allen’s To Pursue Home Ownership Dream

Amy & Jim Allen have spent all of their lives as renters but thanks to their participation in the TMHA FSS program, that may soon be changing.

The Allen’s recently graduated from the FSS program and have collected their escrow account funds. They believe that they now have enough money to position themselves for home ownership by removing their credit obstacles and having enough down payment funds for a home. They believe that they now are attractive candidates to a mortgage lender.

In fact, that is just how they plan on spending the escrow funds. Both Amy & Jim visualize a home in the country, closer to where Amy works at Genie Corp. as an Assembler. Amy can picture a flower and vegetable garden, Jim longs for a garage, and both would like to have a larger kitchen and more space to accommodate their family which includes five children.

What brought this dream much closer to reality? Amy’s consistent employment at Genie over the last four years coupled with the family’s FSS participation.

It’s clear when she talks about her job that Amy really enjoys her work. She has a dual role their as a line worker where she assembles parts bags and builds motors for garage door openers. She indicated that the working environment at Genie is very positive with everyone really working together as part of a team. That team concept allows them to meet their daily product quota and qualify for quarterly company bonuses.

When asked how she got the job at Genie, she simply replied that she was tired and bored with her low paying factory job, heard from friends that they were hiring, and just went there and filled out an application. The rest is history.

“I really wanted a better job in a position with a company that offered opportunities,” Amy said.

Jim recently obtained a position with a local roofing contractor. A position that he enjoys since he likes working with his hands. “In good weather we do home roofing and when the weather doesn’t cooperate, we keep busy with remodeling and small construction jobs,” Jim said. He obtained the job by doing networking through family friends.

When asked what advice they would give other FSS participants regarding reaching their goals, both Amy & Jim indicated that having a real desire to achieve something, maintaining consistent employment, and time & patience were important keys to success.

TMHA would like to wish the Allen family the best of luck as they pursue purchasing their own home. Hopefully, we will be able to do a follow-up story regarding the Allen’s including a photograph of them posing in front of their own home.