Kate’s Story

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Kate worked with Financial Coach Levi Merchant to take control of her budget and overall financial health.  With Levi’s help she was able to pay off debt and bring a fresh mind-set to her finances.

“I have been working with Levi at Sound Outreach for about a year now. I have learned to view my finances in a more sustainable way. This new mindset has enabled me to pay off some debt and open up approximately $475 of my monthly budget since paying them off. I am continuing to learn new ways of managing my finances and my entire perspective on money has shifted. My focus is now on paying off the rest of my debt and bulking up my savings. It has been a validating experience and an educational one working with this organization.”

Ronita’s Story

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When Pierce County resident Ronita started working with Sound Outreach, and financial coach Levi Merchant, she had the ambitious goal of starting a nonprofit focusing on Supportive Housing Services.  With Levi’s help she was able to not only improve her own situation, but achieve grants to start her nonprofit Caring With Compassion Community and is now poised to help others.

“I would like to thank Sound Outreach (SO) for their financial coaching services I received. Levi  Merchant was the financial coach assigned to me after I completed my intake/financial assessment we agreed to meet monthly. I’m currently receiving unemployment, in the process of establishing my nonprofit operations. Levi did an outstanding job reviewing my current financial status, with me to determine an action plan. I discussed with Levi my financial goals short/long term. I was able to have medical bills that were in collections removed, after applying and qualifying for medical charity assistance. My nonprofit Caring With Compassion Community (CWCC) was recently awarded its first grant from “Office of Crime Victims” as a “Crime Victims Service Center” (CVSC) and a “Foundational Community Supports” (FCS) provider, for “Supported Housing” and “Supported Employment” services. CWCC is currently accepting “Supportive Housing” referrals for Medicaid eligible individuals. I look forward to collaborating/partnering with SO in the future and supporting our community members. Thank you.”

 

Enriqua’s Story

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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.”

Virgie’s Story

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With rising rent, increased cost of living, limited income, and a shortage of affordable housing or care-assistance housing, seniors in Pierce County face many challenges. Earlier this year, Virgie, a senior living in Pierce County reached out to Sound Outreach with a request for financial counseling. Virgie’s roommate passed away and she found herself no longer able to pay her rent. Then, her landlord presented her with a move out notice for the end of the following month. Struggling to manage her housing costs and worried that she urgently needed to find a new place to live, she started working with Sound Outreach.

With the assistance of Martin Pirgiotis, the Sound Outreach Silver Program financial counselor, Virgie created an action plan, budget, and a strategy for negotiating with her creditors. Martin also connected Virgie with a pro bono legal organization to help her understand her legal rights and negotiate with her landlord. Through Zoom meetings and phone calls, Martin worked with Virgie over several months as she worked through the action plan.

Martin said, “I was delighted when Virgie told me that the legal assistance organization that I referred her to had been able to help her extend her move out date. Even better, Virgie told me that she had used the strategies that I shared with her to negotiate with her creditors successfully. Virgie had the confidence to call her creditors, negotiate terms and amounts, and reduce her overall debt by over 2000 dollars. I am very excited to see the progress that Virgie has been able to make in such a short time. Helping seniors like Virgie attain financial stability using my training and resources at Sound Outreach is the most fulfilling part of my job.”

Sophia’s Story

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When Sophia, a senior Pierce County resident, was faced with the pandemic, an ailing family member and a struggling new business, she didn’t know where to turn, until she found Sound Outreach. “Little did I suspect that I would find sound financial advice, a plethora of informational resources, and careful follow ups to each and every one of the conversations I have had with[my counselor] Martin Pirgiotis.”

Martin meets with clients over Zoom and on the phone to make sure that their needs are taken care of and while the situation may not be optimal, the results speak for themselves. As Sophia put it: “I was thinking of all the awful things that have happened during 2020…but an enormous smile comes to my face when I think of my long conversations with Martin. … Martin turned out to be not only extremely knowledgeable and resourceful but cheerful, funny, honest, and a holder of savvy local resource information.”

Martin worked with Sophia through the summer of 2020 to discuss her small business and personal finances. Through their meetings Sophia’s credit score went up while her debt went down and she is now in the process of buying her first home. Due to being more financially stable, she feels empowered to take on the next step in caring for her family, be a homeowner and continue her journey in life.

“I couldn’t be happier! If someone had told me that my financial counseling sessions would be this fun I never would have believed it. Thank you Sound Outreach for having Martin work with you. He is a life changer and a dear, dear financial counselor.”

Anthony’s Story: A Go-To Resource for a Family

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Anthony is the married father of three children and primary bread-winner for his family.  When he was faced with mounting debt and stress, he was at a loss for where to turn.  That’s when he found Sound Outreach.

“Several years ago I was severely in debt. We were behind on our mortgage and suffering from the stress that inevitably accompanies this. I did not know where to turn. That is when I came across an email for South Sound Outreach. I scheduled a meeting with them to discuss any options that might help my family. They welcomed me with open arms and ideas for a solution. They showed me how to budget our income, how to understand and fix our credit, how to access government grants and funds, how to tap into mental and physical health resources and so much more. They completely turned my personal and financial situation around in a positive direction. They continue to be my “go to” resource for almost anything I need. They will also help you secure the most optimum employment position, as they did with my wife, as well as help her personally apply for assistance in areas. They have many employment connections and can show you how to thrive in your current career. Overall I would highly recommend South Sound Outreach as your number 1 resource for personal, family and financial well being and future. If you need help, like my family did, do not hesitate to pick up the phone and call them today. Give yourself the best chance possible to get on the right path. Go with South Sound Outreach.”

Susanna’s Story: Staying Accountable

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Susanna is a mother of five who has faced many obstacles while her husband is incarcerated.  After being asked to leave base housing, she lived in homelessness with her children – starting when her children were ages 10 to 1 week. Overwhelmed with responsibility and worry about her children’s basic needs and emotional health, she never gave up and did what she had to do to provide for her children. More than once that determination got her through disappointment. Despite her many struggles and challenges, Susanna finished schooling to be a dental assistant while living in a shelter with her kids.  At one point, Susanna let her dental assistant license lapse and decided to go back to school to pursue her dream of being a Fashion Designer.  Only to have the design school she was attending close. Depressed, frustrated, worried, and looking for direction, Susanna took a friend’s advice and made an appointment with Lynn at Sound Outreach.

Lynn worked with Susanna to set goals and design a plan to get back on a career path. When she missed an appointment, Lynn called to check up on her only to find out Susanna was at a dentist appointment with her son. Lynn saw an opportunity and pushed Susanna to ask if the clinic was hiring.  Lynn then helped Susanna fill out an application and she was hired as soon as she renewed her license. Susanna knows that her employment coach changed her life.

There are a lot of ways to get help but at Sound Outreach you get help only a plan but a coach that holds you accountable.  A lot of people need that. I know I did.

Susanna took her coaching seriously and was re-certified and started working in September.  She is in stable housing and is following her financial plan.  However, she did not escape the effects of COVID-19.  Her hours were cut to a week a month.  Susanna says she didn’t really have time to worry about what that would mean for her financially or to her housing, “

Lynn was on the phone with me immediately. She made sure I was signing up for the services I needed and encouraged me to make a plan to stretch my stimulus check.

Taking her lead from Sound Outreach, Susanna has been diligent with paying bills and paying rent in advance. She’s been proactive in contacting creditors to set up payment plans.  Susanna says Lynn and Sound Outreach didn’t forget about her or let her slip into old habits.  Instead, she is investing the coaching and advice she’s received in her financial security so she can support her children – all five of them.

Because of the generosity of our sponsors and community, Sound Outreach can support people like Susanna. Please consider a gift of support to Sound Outreach.

Patty’s Story: Solutions to Challenges

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Patty knows no one plans to get stuck. No one wants to feel like they have nowhere to turn. No one plans to be hopeless with helplessness.  But that is exactly where Patty found herself two years ago. Up to that point, Patty was a thriving, dedicated stay-at-home mom to her young son, Robbie. Suddenly she was a single parent, in dire financial straits, and terrified she could not provide for her young son.

A referral sent her to Bethel Center for Strong Families where she connected with a Sound Outreach financial coach and found the support she desperately needed.

Sound Outreach has an endless supply of resources. Don’t get defeated. There are solutions out there and Sound Outreach knows where to find them.

Patty’s financial counselor helped her establish financial goals, including improving her credit scores and creating an emergency fund.  Patty says she didn’t necessarily have bad credit when she sought help, but she wanted to make sure she kept it that way while she worked to support her son. Her counselor stepped to advocate on her behalf and was able to help her dispute bills. Patty was then free to focus on the strategy they created together to pay off her four maxed-out credit cards. When she started working with Sound Outreach, Patty’s credit score was 618 – considered in the ‘fair’ range by lenders. She is down to one credit card and her credit score is now over 800 – scores in this range are at the top of the list for the best rates from lenders.

As she paid off her credit cards, she began slowly but steadily putting money away to build her emergency fund. Patty says that “has been the best decision of my life.”  Her goal was to have 3 month’s rent saved. With guidance from her financial counselor, she made that goal and then some. The diligence paid off when COVID-19 hit – for the first time in her life, Patty had a safety net.

Patty credits Sound Outreach by putting her in the position to confidently weather the current economic storm.  She has the tools she needs to continue to build her financial foundation and knows support is only a Sound Outreach call away.

Because of the generosity of our sponsors and community, Sound Outreach can support people like Patty. Please consider a gift of support to Sound Outreach.

Kimberly & Mariam’s Story: Invitation to Make an Impact

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Sound Outreach’s dedication to financial literacy, education, coaching and counseling is empowering to its clients and inspiring to me.

An invitation to a fundraising luncheon three years ago opened a door to Mariam Anderson that would lead her to yearly donations to Sound Outreach and, eventually, giving away a car.

Mariam is a long-time resident of Tacoma and an active participant in the community.  She is also a friend of Julie Anderson, Pierce County Auditor.  In 2017 Julie, a new board member to Sound Outreach invited Mariam to our annual Community Assets fundraising luncheon.  Mariam says it was the first time she had heard of Sound Outreach but tells us that after the luncheon: “I left inspired by this agency that offered a sustainable concept to support our community.”

Mariam has been a faithful attendee to the luncheons and a regular financial supporter ever since.  But it was at the 2019 DRIVEN-themed luncheon that Mariam felt inspired to do more.  After listening to client stories, guest speakers, board members, and Executive Director Bryan Flint, Mariam saw an opportunity to make a U-turn. Instead of selling a car she and her husband owned, Mariam decided to donate a car to a Sound Outreach client.

Not long after, Sound Outreach made a match between Mariam’s wish and a client in need. Kimberly was working with a financial counselor and trying to build a solid foundation for her young son and herself.  It was stressful not having reliable transportation. Relying on buses or the kindness of family or friends, making it difficult to get to work on time and get her son, Angel, to preschool. Mariam’s gift of a car dramatically changed Kimberly’s life.

Mariam believes that while Sound Outreach is contributing to a community of individuals who need help getting out of tough situations, it does it proactively through “education and coaching, not handouts” – a positive path forward for so many.

Sound Outreach counsels, teaches, and coaches its clients to take those small steps now so they can make big strides later. I want to give what I can, when I can, so that work continues.

All these months later, Mariam has no regrets about handing over those car keys to Kimberly.  She believes “the car is a daily reminder for Kimberly to make sound decisions.”  While the gift was generous, Mariam prefers to think of it as “an invitation for others with the means to make an impact.  It doesn’t have to be with a car.  It can be with a monthly or one-time donation.”

Please consider joining Mariam in financially supporting the work we do at Sound Outreach with your gift of support.

Antonio’s Story: Set Up For Success

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Antonio came to Sound Outreach frustrated with the challenges of finding an employer who would take a chance on him. He worked hard to earn his AA degree at Pierce College despite a learning disability. He invested the time to better himself so he could do more for his family.  For too long, he says, he watched his “wife head off to work every day to support our four children.” Antonio was determined to change the course of his life and that of his family.

I contributed my disability check, but it was never enough. I went to school so we could do more than live paycheck to paycheck.

Antonio enrolled at Pierce College to get the education he needed to work in a field that supported his natural abilities – computers. Unfortunately, earning an AA wasn’t enough, he needed to get job experience, but he wasn’t sure how to make that happen. Then through a recommendation from his son’s school, Antonio met Employment Coach Lynn Willis at the Sound Outreach Bethel office.  He says, “that first meeting was the beginning of a new life” for him and his family.

First, Lynn advocated for Antonio to get a much-needed internship which led to a job.  Antonio says his new job gave him a fulfillment he had not felt before – he was finally a working contributor to his family.  That joy hit a wall a week after he started his job when COVID-19 derailed the state and country.  Antonio was the first person on the payroll to be laid off.

Antonio says he didn’t have a chance to feel anxious or defeated. Within days of being laid off and the Governor’s Stay Home order, Lynn was on the phone asking him what he needed. Antonio says the concern coming immediately from Sound Outreach has strengthened his resolve to ride out the stay-at-home orders until he is called back to work.  Because of his employment coach at Sound Outreach, Antonio believes

“I’m set up for success. I am organized and ready to get back to work when I get the call.”

Because of the generosity of our sponsors and community, Sound Outreach can support people like Antonio. Please consider a gift of support to Sound Outreach.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]