Success Stories

Verlin Gathings enrolled with Asset Builders for Individual Development Account (IDA) savings in May 2005 to save for the first two goals.

Rhonda enrolled in the IDA program to save for business renovations and expansion. She began using her funds to purchase new equipment, furniture and beauty supplies.

Nicole attended homebuyer training, worked on her credit, and began looking for a home. In June 2006, she used her IDA funds to purchase a home in a quiet family neighborhood.

With help from Career Pathways, Christina graduated with honors from Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas in May with an Associate of Arts degree in general education.

The Arnolds have not only invested in themselves but have also positioned themselves to have a secure financial future not only for themselves but also for their children.

When Detria Stackhouse needed a loan, she went to Southern Bancorp, in Helena, Arkansas. They referred her to the Asset Builders program, and in April 2004 she opened an Asset Builders account and began saving to make improvements to her home.

Every dollar Yvette invested in her IDA was matched by three dollars of federal and private funding. In less than a year she had reached her goal and had saved enough to make a down payment on a home.

Katherine Augustus enrolled in Southern’s Asset Builders program and opened an Individual Development Account (IDA) in July 2004 to purchase a home and save for her son’s college education expenses.

After meeting with a Career Pathways counselor, Gwen Davis learned not only that her tuition and books would be paid by the program; she was also eligible for transportation assistance. In August 2006, she enrolled in the nursing program and has never looked back.

Carlecia Gentry-Hoskins learned about Career Pathways through advertisements and decided to look into it and see if it was something that could help her achieve her goals. Mrs. Hoskins said her hardest struggles were providing childcare and developing good study habits. Career Pathways was able to help her with those barriers.

DeLoris Baker was beginning to see her dream of completing her education being put on hold a second time until she saw an article in the newspaper about Career Pathways. At the time, this mother of four young adults was in between jobs, and this seemed like the perfect opportunity to continue her education. Career Pathways assisted Ms. Baker by paying her tuition and providing books and gas vouchers for transportation assistance.

Kathryn Ricks and her husband both worked at the LEVI factory for nine and a half years. When the plant closed, and they were laid off, Kathryn looked for other opportunities and found Career Pathways.

In the fall of 2006, Melinda Sheard enrolled in Southern’s Asset Builders program and opened an Individual Development Account (IDA) to save for her education.