Enriqua’s Story
When Pierce County resident Enriqua started working with Sound Outreach, she was living with a family member, had little savings, and didn’t know how to improve her financial knowledge and situation. Working with Martin Pirgiotis, a Sound Outreach financial counselor, Enriqua quickly found a cheerleader and coach who could help reach her goals.
“My parents always had difficulties with finances growing up. As a result, I never knew what Credit, Budgeting, Loans, or even having a Retirement Plan entailed until I became $3,000 in debt when I went to college. Sometimes when you’ve experienced life in the working class, it’s embarrassing to admit how your finances are. Especially when you don’t have the knowledge to be able to reach your financial goals that can oftentimes feel like light-years away. However, I never felt that with Martin. He’s very patient, kind, and willing to explain things in ways you could comprehend, and most of all, he’s very empathetic. Ever since he’s aided me in this journey, I feel more confident about my finances and how I want to reach my goals. I don’t feel insecure about my lack of knowledge of financial literacy, and the topic doesn’t intimidate me anymore.”
In turn, Martin was excited to help Enriqua reach her goals. “Working with Enriqua has been an amazing, uplifting experience. As a financial counselor, I get the chance to see my client’s perspective of their goals and financial challenges – as well as their visions for a better future. In less than a year of working with Enriqua, she has improved her credit score, reduced debt, has an emergency savings account, and has moved into her own apartment. Enriqua is also now engaged and planning her wedding ceremony using her excellent budgeting and planning skills! I am so proud of her work and ambition. She has a bright future ahead of her.”
“I now feel more confident about my finances and how I want to reach my goals. I don’t feel insecure about my lack of knowledge of financial literacy, and the topic doesn’t intimidate me anymore. I hope that those out there who never had the experience of being taught financial literacy, realize they have the power to achieve it, just believe in the process and your goals will be reached eventually! I thank Sound Outreach for giving me the confidence I needed to start my journey into financial literacy.”
