Save Up Program

Many times in life we start a project expecting one outcome and we end up getting another.  Ms. Kendra, a family service worker for a local nonprofit experienced this revelation after completing her financial education courses through the Save Up program. She first learned about RISE while researching local resources to recommend to the parents of the pre-k children her agency serves. Once she became familiar with the Save Up program, Kendra wanted to go through the program to see if it really worked.  Not only did it work and met the needs of her clients, Kendra decided that this program would be of great benefit to her family as well.  As a mother of a 16-year-old girl, she wanted the stability of homeownership for her daughter. 

After attending the rigorous six-week financial education workshop, Saver’s Club meetings, Homebuyer Club meetings, and completing her savings goal, Kendra felt that RISE had properly prepared her to become a homeowner. The moment she had been working so hard for had finally arrived and on October 5, 2018, she became a first-time homebuyer.   Kendra remarked that “The biggest challenge was staying focused on my goal of finding a decent quality home within my budget. However, I learned to trust and utilize all the tools that RISE provided me. I learned how to budget, save and comprehend the home buying process. Knowing what questions to ask really helped me to feel more confident during this process.”

Becoming a homeowner has come to mean more to Kendra than just buying a home and providing shelter for her family. Kendra says, “when I purchased my home, it gave me a feeling of self-worth that is indescribable. Overall, it is so empowering! I plan to continue to refer my clients to the RISE Save Up program.” With a big smile on her face, Kendra then asked, “when is the next orientation?”

Please make your tax deductible contribution to the RISE Foundation today and directly change the communities of Memphis family by family, the RISE way.