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