🏠 Taller de Capacidades Financieras en Línea – mayo de 2025

Connecting senior homeowners who have available rooms to rent with Worcester-area graduate students in need of housing.

Worcester, MA – RCAP Solutions is thrilled to have received a generous $10,000 grant from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation to pilot an Intergenerational HomeShare Program in collaboration with the Worcester Community Connections Coalition of YOU, Inc., an affiliate of Seven Hills Foundation, with additional help from other community partners. This initiative comes at a critical time as the City of Worcester and other municipalities across the state are grappling with an unprecedented housing crisis.

The proposed solution involves creating a program to match graduate students with senior homeowners in Worcester and the surrounding communities who have available rooms to rent – addressing housing shortages while fostering intergenerational connections.

The success of a similar program in Boston has laid the groundwork for this initiative and demonstrates that homesharing is a valuable and viable option for increasing affordability and social relationships.

With this funding, the first step of the process will be to conduct outreach to seniors in Worcester and the surrounding towns. The primary objective is to gauge interest among older adults who have available rooms for rent. By creating a pipeline of homeowners eager to participate, we aim to grow this initiative into a comprehensive program supported by additional funding.

“RCAP Solutions’ commitment to affordable housing and strengthening communities is evident through our initiative in piloting this program,” remarked Brian D. Scales, President & CEO of RCAP Solutions. “We are grateful to the Greater Worcester Community Foundation for their support, and we are excited to collaborate with the Worcester Community Connections Coalition on this important project.”

This proposed opportunity will encourage homeowners to keep their rents low (below market rate) to alleviate financial challenges faced by graduate students, while empowering these older adults to remain engaged within their communities. Background checks and screenings will be conducted to ensure safe and lasting matches. Through collaborative efforts and strategic outreach, RCAP Solutions and the Worcester Community Connections Coalition of YOU, Inc. are committed to making a positive impact on housing accessibility and intergenerational connectedness in Worcester and beyond.

“Bringing this model to Worcester is a doable, winnable effort that can help address the current housing crisis – even if in one small way. Many efforts like this are desperately needed at this time. The program’s intergenerational piece also provides wonderful, needed support to our seniors to help keep them in their homes,” noted Anne Bureau, Program Director for the Worcester Community Connections Coalition of YOU, Inc.

“Affordable housing is a critical challenge across Worcester County,” said Pete Dunn, President & CEO of Greater Worcester Community Foundation. “The Intergenerational HomeShare Program offers an innovative approach to addressing the housing crisis while fostering connections between generations and strengthening the community.”

For more information about the pilot program or if you or someone you know is interested in participating, please contact RCAP Solutions’ Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC) via phone: (978) 630-6773 or email: HCECedu@rcapsolutions.org. Alternatively, you may complete our Interest Form here: https://bit.ly/HomeShareInterest.

This testimonial features Mirelys – a successful graduate of the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Homeownership Track here at RCAP Solutions, who recently achieved her dream of owning a house! 🏡

Mirelys’ incredible accomplishment of becoming a homeowner was driven by her desire to set a positive example for her children. Through her dedication and hard work, combined with support from the RCAP Solutions staff, she transformed her aspirations into reality!

For more information about our Economic Opportunity & Workforce Development Programs for voucher holders, please visit: https://www.rcapsolutions.org/economic-opportunities/

The FSS Homeownership Track can assist Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher holders and Project-Based Voucher recipients with targeted information and support about becoming a successful homebuyer and homeowner.

This testimonial features Charlotte – an accomplished participant in the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Homeownership Track here at RCAP Solutions!

A single mother of two, Charlotte decided to begin the journey to homeownership so her family could experience increased freedom in a house of their own. Some of Charlotte’s many accomplishments during her time in the program include raising her credit score, creating a plan to pay-off her car loan, and graduating with an Master’s Degree in Social Work! 💳 🚗 🎓

For more information about our Economic Opportunity & Workforce Development Programs for voucher holders, please visit: https://www.rcapsolutions.org/economic-opportunities/

The FSS Homeownership Track can assist Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher holders and Project-Based Voucher recipients with targeted information and support about becoming a successful homebuyer and homeowner.

Your generosity will help RCAP Solutions to improve housing stability, uplift vulnerable community members, and create thriving neighborhoods for individuals and families.

Every day at RCAP Solutions, we witness the urgent struggles of local individuals and families who are striving to improve their lives and are in need of housing or financial counseling.

Our Housing Consumer Education Center (HCEC) is staffed with HUD-Certified Housing Counselors. However, the enormity of the housing crisis in Worcester County is pressing, and we need your support to meet it head-on. In April 2024, Forbes published a thought-provoking article stating that the Worcester region has the third-most competitive rental market in the United States, with “meager vacancy rates and some of the worst availability of rental units.”

Our staff works tirelessly to ensure that individuals and families embroiled in this challenging market do not lose their homes. With your help, we can expand our services, including our existing sustainable spending classes, workforce development programs, and one-on-one counseling – delivering tailored solutions for every struggling individual and family who walks through our door.

Your generosity means the world to us and to the individuals and families we serve. Together, we can create meaningful change and open new pathways of opportunity for our neighbors.

Let’s transform the Worcester County housing market together and build a stronger, more resilient community. Thank you for your compassion and support!

MAKE A DIFFERENCE, GIVE TODAY! Alternatively, you may send a check to: RCAP Solutions, 191 May Street, Worcester, MA 01602

RCAP Solutions is exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Your donation is tax-deductible.

Watch Our Video – RCAP Solutions Housing Services: Join Us in Making a Difference for Worcester County Residents

Synergy Spotlight: Meet Melissa Reyes-Maisonet, Deputy Director of Rental Assistance

Melissa Reyes-Maisonet is a thoughtful and accomplished professional with a diverse background. From her early days working at a music store in Puerto Rico to her current role as Deputy Director of Rental Assistance at RCAP Solutions, Melissa has demonstrated a strong work ethic and a passion for helping others.

Melissa holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the American University of Manati in Puerto Rico and is now pursuing a Human Services Degree at Quinsigamond Community College. This dedication to learning and self-improvement is a testament to Melissa’s drive and desire to make a positive impact in her field.

Melissa’s professional journey has been marked by a range of experiences, from working at the aforementioned music store, a call center, and even a small restaurant (which she owned and managed for 3 years). However, it was her role at RCAP Solutions that truly ignited her passion for the human services field. Melissa was originally hired by RCAP Solutions in 2018 as a Triage Associate. Under the guidance of her mentor, Sally Nieves, Melissa received a promotion almost every year since then, and now serves as the Deputy Director of Rental Assistance – where she helps oversee the administration of the organization’s housing voucher programs.

“I never knew how much I enjoyed working in the human services field until I started working here at RCAP Solutions,” said Melissa. “I had and have the best mentor – Sally Nieves – who guided me and shared her knowledge and love for the field.”

“Her excellence in work shines like a beacon, uplifting and inspiring all those around her,” stated Sally Nieves, Director of Rental Assistance. “Melissa embodies positivity and dedication in everything she does.”

Melissa finds immense joy in assisting her team and passing on her knowledge to help them advance within the organization, just as she did. Her focus is on nurturing her staff’s development and ensuring they have the support they need to thrive.

While Melissa faces the ongoing challenge of maintaining adequate staffing levels, she remains determined to provide the best possible service to participants and applicants. Her resilience and problem-solving skills allow her to navigate these obstacles effectively.

Susie Rich, fellow Deputy Director of Rental Assistance, proclaimed “There is a quote by the late Kobe Bryant that says: ‘The most important thing is to try and inspire people so that they can be great in whatever they want to do.’ Melissa Reyes-Maisonet does just that. She inspires and encourages those placed in her path and around her to bring out the best by taking risks and celebrating the rewards. It is a pleasure to work with her and witness her compassion towards clients, property managers, owners, and staff and know that her focus is always on the positive aspects of life.”

Beyond her professional accomplishments, Melissa is a well-rounded individual with diverse interests and hobbies. She enjoys spending time with her family, including her daughters and grandbaby. Melissa also has an unwavering commitment to empowering and supporting youth. She firmly believes that every young person deserves to feel loved and empowered, and she strives to be a positive role model and mentor in her community.

Melissa’s contributions were echoed by Josh Bedarian, Chief Housing & Compliance Officer, who said, “Melissa Reyes-Maisonet epitomizes what it means to be an employee of RCAP Solutions. Melissa started her tenure with the organization at the front desk, assisting clients, learning program administration, and developing an understanding of how RCAP Solutions operates as an organization. Since then, Melissa has worked her way up to the position of Deputy Director of Rental Assistance and oversees a multitude of different functions in one of our most dynamic business units. Melissa is truly committed to the mission, vision, and values of RCAP Solutions and that reflects not only in her work for our participants, but in her commitment to her family, her community, and her peers. Melissa is an integral part of the RCAP Solutions team and has been one of the leaders of our growth in the last five years.”

Fun Facts About Melissa:

• Hometown: Worcester, Massachusetts
• Favorite Book: Paula by Isabel Allende
• Favorite Movie: Beauty and the Beast directed by Gary Trousdale & Kirk Wise
• Favorite Sports Team: Boston Red Sox
• Favorite Musician: Ricky Martin
• Place She’d Like to Travel to: Spain

Habib and Nozhat, residents of Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, decided to participate in the Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP) to make their house more accessible for their sons – Danial and Mahan – who were both diagnosed with the rare Juvenile Tay-Sachs disease when they were just toddlers.

Safely transporting their sons in-and-out of their beds and the house proved to be a challenge for the couple, who had many doctors’ appointments to attend – and the boys lacked their own separate, accessible living area.

HMLP provided funds for an addition to the home which consisted of an accessible bedroom, accessible bathroom, and ceiling lift.

Tragically, Mahan passed away before construction on the project was complete, but his legacy lives on with his parents, his older brother, and the many other lives he touched.

Synergy Spotlight: Meet Jahaira Gonzalez, Deputy Director of Financial Services

Jahaira Gonzalez is a shining example of a successful, career-driven professional who shattered through the glass ceiling. Her extreme passion for the community in which she lives, as well as her desire to learn, can be traced back to when she was just a child.

Born in Puerto Rico, Jahaira moved to Worcester, Massachusetts when she was in kindergarten and immediately started English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. However, Jahaira’s grandmother, who raised her, encouraged her to only speak Spanish at home so that she would never forget it – and rightfully so – as her bilingual abilities have positioned her to excel throughout her career.

During high school, Jahaira began her first job as a summer camp counselor, part of a program for children at Assumption University in Worcester – the city in which she’s resided for most of her life. Not long after, Jahaira became employed at UMass Memorial Medical Center, where she initially started as an intern doing patient registration. Jahaira began rising through the ranks (something she would also later do at RCAP Solutions); she was quickly brought onboard as a temporary employee and subsequently hired to work in the hospital’s center for spine health.

Jahaira’s next venture led her to a local law firm, where she worked as a receptionist and interpreter for several years. After making an impression at the law firm, Jahaira was approached by the owner of an interpreting services company with a job offer to oversee the company’s 45 interpreters, who provided services to courthouses, hospitals, insurance adjusters, and more.

Although she was excelling, Jahaira found herself in a tough situation after being let go. A friend referred her to RCAP Solutions and informed her that they have programs that could assist with rent payments. However, instead of receiving financial assistance from RCAP Solutions, she received a job.

In 2013, Jahaira was hired by RCAP Solutions as Administrative Assistant to the President & CEO at the time, Karen A. Koller. Shortly after, the organization needed someone to take over duties at the front desk, and thus Jahaira transferred into the role. During her time at the front desk, Jahaira learned the ins-and-outs of the many various housing programs which RCAP Solutions administers, including our voucher programs and the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program.

After approximately 2 years, a RAFT Specialist position became available – Jahaira applied, and got the job. Originally, the RAFT team consisted of approximately 3 staff members, including Jahaira, and the program was overseen by Bill Minkle, RCAP Solutions’ Executive Vice President at the time. During 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting financial pressure put on families caused RAFT applications to skyrocket. The team quadrupled in size and Jahaira played a pivotal role in ensuring the success of the program alongside Bill.

In August 2020, Bill Minkle tragically passed away. His death rocked the RCAP Solutions staff and the greater Central Massachusetts community as a whole. Jahaira, who attributed Bill to many of her successes within the organization, lost a mentor.

The following month, Jahaira stepped into the role of Deputy Director of Financial Services – approximately 7 years after first joining RCAP Solutions as an administrative assistant and in the front desk role.

Working closely with the Director of Housing Counseling & Financial Services, Jahaira oversees the RAFT program, the HomeBASE program, and the Secure Jobs program. She also manages several staff members and when things get busy, she often reclaims her former duties as RAFT Specialist; processing applications and paperwork herself.

Jahaira attributes her success to the fact that she’s been in the same situation as many of the families we serve, describing the struggles during the early days of her career, “I know what the clients go through. I had no vehicle, so I had to improvise. I had to take the bus or walk with my daughter who at that time was just a baby, it was hard. Striving to meet your goals can be difficult, but with determination and perseverance you can achieve success.”

Jahaira’s contributions were noted by Josh Bedarian, Chief Housing & Compliance Officer, who said, “Jahaira embodies what commitment means in every sense of the word. Jahaira began her career at RCAP Solutions as a receptionist and through her tireless effort and commitment to the mission, vision, and values that RCAP Solutions holds dear, she has elevated herself to the position of Deputy Director of Financial Services. I cannot say enough about how proud I am of the work Jahaira has done for our clients, for herself, and most important of all, for her family. Jahaira’s passion and commitment to her work cannot be understated.”

In her role, Jahaira has become a strong mentor, encouraging her team to take advantage of the benefits that RCAP Solutions offers, including our many education and training offerings. She is a committed advocate and promotes the many opportunities for advancement within the organization.

Lovette Chislom, Director of Housing Counseling & Financial Services, concluded, “I’ve had the privilege of knowing Jahaira over the course of the last 11 years as she worked tirelessly to climb the RCAP Solutions ladder of success and have had the distinct honor of working with her as the Deputy Director of Financial Services for the last 3+ years. Jahaira stepped into this leadership role with professionalism, grace, and dignity. Jahaira goes above and beyond to assist staff and management no matter the ask. She is dedicated to providing guidance and continued encouragement to the staff. Jahaira is always striving for ways to improve processes while working diligently to elevate her managerial skills. She is held in high esteem by staff, colleagues, and management. Jahaira continues to strive for greatness in every aspect of her life. I am truly honored to work with Jahaira and look forward to many more years.”

Fun Facts About Jahaira:

• Hometown: Worcester, Massachusetts
• Favorite Book: Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell
• Favorite Movie: The Notebook directed by Nick Cassavetes
• Favorite Sports Team: Boston Celtics
• Favorite Musicians: Goldford (LA-based pop/rock singer-songwriter) and JP Cooper (soul/alternative rock singer-songwriter)
• Historical Figures She’d Like to Meet: Rosa Parks (African-American activist in the civil rights movement) and Martin Luther King Jr. (African-American minister and activist in the civil rights movement)
• Places She’d Like to Travel to: Spain, Italy, and Greece

Check Out This Video (ft. Jahaira) About the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) Program!

Enrich lives by giving today! Your generous support will help provide clothing, school supplies, toiletries, pantry items, and other necessities to support hardworking families on their path to success.

The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program provides supportive counseling, financial education, and credit success workshops to housing choice voucher holders who dream of a brighter future for themselves and their families. FSS participants work one-on-one with a program coordinator to develop an action plan to achieve their goals – to secure better employment, advance their education, purchase a home, or start a business.

You can create a brighter future for individuals and families who strive for economic independence, workforce skills, and a better life!

MAKE A DIFFERENCE, GIVE TODAY! Alternatively, you may send a check to: RCAP Solutions, 191 May Street, Worcester, MA 01602

RCAP Solutions is exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Your donation is tax-deductible.

Watch Our Video – FSS Program Helps Housing Choice Voucher Participants Achieve Their Goals:

RCAP Solutions Partnering with Several Community-Based Organizations to Expand Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) Program Access to Individuals and Families Throughout Central Massachusetts

RCAP Solutions is proud to announce a partnership with Valuing Our Children, the Spanish American Center, and the Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC), which expands access to the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) program for individuals and families throughout Central Massachusetts.

RAFT is a financial assistance program funded by the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC), which keeps struggling families safely housed. This program can provide eligible households with funding that can be used to help stay in current housing, obtain new housing, or otherwise avoid becoming homeless. Anyone who is struggling to pay their rent or who are at risk of being evicted are encouraged to apply for the program. Funds can be used for rent arrears, utility arrears, short-term rental stipend, security deposits, first and last month’s rent, and more.

Thanks to this new partnership, clients who are unable to access or complete an online application may now reach out to RCAP Solutions directly or Valuing Our Children, the Spanish American Center, and the Worcester Community Action Council to schedule an appointment to be guided through the application process via an in-person or virtual appointment. This service is only available to residents living in a community where RCAP Solutions administers the RAFT program (see our RAFT Service Area Map).

RCAP Solutions administers RAFT funds and provides application assistance to residents throughout Central Massachusetts, however, residents of the city of Worcester who apply for the RAFT program will have their application processed by the Central Massachusetts Housing Alliance (CMHA). As a result, RCAP Solutions will not be able to provide status updates to clients residing in Worcester after their application has been submitted. Further questions regarding the status of their application must be directed to CMHA.

“The Spanish American Center and RCAP Solutions have recently created a strong partnership to assist families in Central Massachusetts who need financial assistance with housing and utilities. This is a very meaningful partnership for all our Central Massachusetts residents,” explained Neddy Latimer, Executive Director of the Spanish American Center.

“Valuing Our Children is pleased to partner with RCAP Solutions in order to increase the accessibility of the RAFT program for families to secure and stabilize their housing,” said Kena Vescovi, Executive Director of Valuing Our Children, “Our organization sees many families coming to our centers in need of stabilizing their housing. This partnership offers families options to access RAFT financial support within their own community.”

“WCAC is very happy to build on our partnership with RCAP Solutions by helping to navigate clients to successful completion of their RAFT applications in Southern Worcester County,” remarked Marybeth Campbell, Executive Director of WCAC, “Through this partnership, we are eager help ease the application process and wrap around clients and their needs more wholistically by marrying access to RAFT with WCAC’s economic mobility strategies. We see this as a great opportunity to strengthen our work with RCAP Solutions as a respected resource in the region.”

“I am very proud that we can strengthen and grow our relationship with these fantastic, well-respected community organizations that do so much to assist individuals and families throughout Central Massachusetts,” concluded Brian D. Scales, President & CEO of RCAP Solutions, “This collaborative effort is vitally important and will allow us to better serve the region’s residents and break down barriers that may have existed in acquiring services.”

In fiscal year 2022 alone, RCAP Solutions provided over $43 million in funding to assist several thousand families in need.

Those interested in applying should be prepared with the following documentation; an ID for the head of household, proof of current housing (for example, a lease), proof housing crisis (for example, a notice to quit or eviction letter), and proof of income (for example, paystubs).

For more information about the RAFT program, application requirements, this community partnership, and more, please visit: www.rcapsolutions.org/hcec-application/

About RCAP Solutions:
RCAP Solutions is an integrated community development corporation working with a multi-faceted suite of services in communities throughout the northeastern part of the U.S. and the Caribbean. Established in 1969 (as Rural Housing Improvement), RCAP Solutions has supported the power and potential of communities for over half a century as strategists of community-wide well-being. Our mission is to foster personal and public self-reliance and improve the quality of life for individuals, families, and the communities in which they live. For more information, please visit: www.rcapsolutions.org

About Valuing Our Children:
Valuing Our Children (VOC) was established in 1993 to address the abuse and neglect of children by focusing on strength-based family support and community development. VOC serves as a hub of information and support for families by providing parenting education, support groups, information and referral services, family support and home-visiting. All programs are available to families at no cost and with no eligibility guidelines. For more information, please visit: www.valuingourchildren.org

About the Spanish American Center:
The Spanish American Center is a non-profit, tax exempt 501(c)(3) multi-service organization with a mission to respond to the social, health, educational and cultural needs of the Twin Cities, Leominster/Fitchburg communities including surrounding areas with a special focus on the Latino community limited by language, poverty, and cultural barriers. The Center was founded in 1966 by priests from a local Catholic church, along with Latino leaders, who were seeing greater numbers of Latinos in their Parishes and were concerned that they were not receiving the services that they need. Director 35+ years of her leadership, Neddy Latimer, Executive Director, has shepherded the organization into ever widening services for the community. For more information, please visit: www.spanishamericancenter.org

About WCAC:
Founded in 1965 as part of the War on Poverty, Worcester Community Action Council (WCAC) is one of 1,000 community action agencies across the U.S. and 23 in Massachusetts created to address disparities throughout the nation. Our values of advancing equitable access, elevating all voices and partnering with people are embedded in the role we play as the federally designated anti-poverty agency for Central and South-Central Massachusetts. WCAC embodies service to the community through our mission: Helping people move to economic self-sufficiency through programs, partnerships, and advocacy. Our vision is to break the cycle of poverty one neighbor at a time. Through safety-net services and asset building solutions, WCAC creates economic mobility opportunities for tens of thousands of people annually through programs such as energy assistance, early education and care, financial empowerment, positive youth development, and career pathways. For more information, please visit: www.wcac.net

John and Rebecca’s Story: Using Funds From the Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP) to Improve a Loved One’s Quality of Life

John and his wife Rebecca have been living in their Shrewsbury, Massachusetts home for over 40 years. Rebecca, who met John at a company they formerly worked at, is an avid ornamentalist and hangs the walls of their house with numerous pieces of art and other décor, making their home their home feel truly cozy.

During 2014, the couple went to the doctor after noticing changes in Rebecca’s behavior, such as her difficulty remembering things and confusion when performing daily activities. Rebecca was shortly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

For several years the disease progressed. Rebecca began to use a wheelchair and John looked for new ways to make their home more accessible.

John and Rebecca’s bathroom proved difficult for mobility, as Rebecca could not lift herself into the bathtub-shower. For Rebecca to stay clean, she was given sponge baths. Their caregiver, who tends to Rebecca while John is at work, informed John of the Home Modification Loan Program (HMLP) and how it could improve Rebecca’s quality of life.

After applying for the loan, identifying a certified contractor, and construction was completed, John and Rebecca’s old bathtub-shower was replaced with an ADA compliant barrier-free shower, allowing Rebecca to be rolled into the shower using a shower wheelchair.

Thanks to HMLP, Rebecca is now able to take frequent showers with ease and John has peace of mind knowing that his wife can cleanse safely. After taking her first shower in several years, Rebecca, who has limited vocal capabilities, managed to express her gratitude by saying the words “thank you” and giving a kiss to the caregiver who was assisting her.

Tania’s Story: A Graduate of the Family Self-Sufficiency Program Who Didn’t Just Meet Her Goals, but Exceeded Them!

A single parent, Tania had been living in a subsidized housing apartment for several years when she heard about the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program from a friend. In 2016, when she first enrolled in the program, Tania used a wheelchair due to a rare inflammation in her back and knees, but that did not hinder her ambition.

A self-proclaimed “go-getter”, Tania came into the program with very clear goals:

• Improve and build her credit score
• Purchase a new car
• Further her education
• Grow her career
• And accomplish the ultimate task – purchasing a home

Coupled by the support provided by RCAP Solutions and her extreme drive to succeed, Tania not only met these goals – but exceeded them.

The FSS Program is a 5-year program which helps Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher holders and Project-Based Voucher recipients to achieve economic stability. Program participants receive a financial incentive of an escrow account in their name that they will have access to after graduating the program. In addition, program participants work with a dedicated case manager to set milestones and achieve several goals which result in increased financial independence.

Tania first had to fix her poor credit score, which she did by attending a Financial Capability workshop at RCAP Solutions. She was able to review her credit report and removed excess and unused accounts. She opened a new credit card account and learned to budget so that she could pay her bills when they were due.

No longer needing a wheelchair, and due to the success of her newfound financial freedom, Tania was able to purchase a new car. She attended community college and graduated with a degree in accounting.

Tania’s employers at a home improvement retailer, impressed by her achievements at both work and in her personal life, promoted her twice since she began working there in 2017. Tania now serves as a district manager and oversees the installation of doors, windows, cabinets, and other miscellaneous home improvement projects for customers across the region.

In addition, Tania has been the recipient of several professional awards for her dedication and commitment to her co-workers, customers, and associates. Tania has taken on further professional development courses and enrolled in leadership skills training.

After spending so much time working in the home improvement business, Tania decided it was time for a home of her own. She enrolled in the First-Time Homebuyer Certification class at RCAP Solutions, which furthered her ability to finance the purchase and was connected to low-interest mortgage programs and down-payment assistance options.

Tania graduated from the FSS Program in August 2021 and is now a proud homeowner with over $15,000 in savings which she accrued during her 5 years in the program.

As for others considering enrolling in this program and becoming more financially independent, Tania says, “Anything is possible if you give it your all. If you put in the effort, everything will fall into place, and it will all get accomplished”.