Save Up Program

Keesha, a busy mom of two young children, volunteers in her church ministry, while working full-time as a Community Outcomes & Relations Coordinator. She provides resources and education to at-risk families of Tennessee and Mississippi, to help them overcome healthcare system barriers that prevent timely access to cancer detection and treatment. 

Keesha joined the RISE family as a Save Up participant in the Spring of 2015. Her introduction to RISE came by way of a friend, who invited Keesha to the Annual RISE Gala, where she learned about the different programs that RISE had to transform the financial well-being of low-income working people in Memphis and Shelby County.  She was interested in learning more about the Save Up program and wondered if the program could be beneficial to her family. 

Keesha struggled with saving in the past and wanted to make an impactful change in the way she managed her finances. She said, “I thought that the idea that I could save was unreachable, unattainable, and out of the realm of what I normally did, because I was not raised to save.  When I joined this program, I had to make a lifestyle change in order to be able to save.  I could not be concerned about keeping up with the Jones’.  RISE helped me to understand that I did not have to have what I thought I needed, and I now know that I have value and worth without material things."

While in the program, Keesha followed the spending plan that she developed in class, and diligently saved monthly until she reached her savings goal of $1000. In May 2017 she purchased a computer, software and printer with her savings and RISE matching funds.  Her children will now be able to conveniently use the computer at home to complete school assignments, and Keesha can now finish the book that she is writing, as well as seek out better work opportunities.   She has some advice for others trying to save: “Be honest with yourself.  It’s okay to admit that you don’t have it all together financially.  Be willing to be vulnerable, accept the help, and not be prideful.”

Thank you for your contributions to the RISE for the Save Up program, which helped Keesha and many others to make their financial goals attainable.  Your continued support and donations will help transform the financial well-being of future Save Up participants like Keesha. She has now learned how to “Keep the Green ($)”, and plans to teach her children to do the same!

Links:

• High Ground featured a RISE Save Up Graduated