Home for the Holidays
At Ventura County Community Development Corporation, we help build practical pathways to homeownership that include providing advice, financial education, and coaching. VCCDC’s work has created 3,000 new homeowners in the last 21 years. In fact, we would like to share with you the story of new homeowner Jonet Sellers.
Like many single-parent households, Jonet was resigned to the fact that she would be a lifelong renter. After losing her job in 2017, she encountered difficulty managing her debt and several accounts had gone into collections. Living in Los Angeles afforded conveniences including working close to home, yet she was worried about her ill mother in her hometown of Bakersfield. Luckily Jonet was referred to VCCDC by her brother and we helped her improve her credit, coached her on credit card management, and provided encouragement as she successfully paid off over $10,000 in debt. In early 2022 as the price of homes continued to climb and her mother’s health got worse, Jonet faced difficult, life-changing decisions: leaving Los Angeles to move back to Bakersfield for her mom and consideration of a home purchase. In a few short months, she identified availability in a new housing development, improved her credit score to help qualify for the CalHFA My Home down payment assistance program, and purchased her own home. Having achieved homeownership, Jonet has the peace of mind that provided not only a permanent solution for herself and her teen daughter, but also granted her the availability to assist with her mom’s needs.
You see, brighter futures start at home. Jonet’s home purchase helped her begin building financial security, providing a stronger foundation that contributes positively to her daughter’s future too.
“I'm a single mother, I'm divorced, and I finally feel like I have a legacy, something I can leave for my daughter, something for her to aspire to...I cannot tell you how thankful I am that VCCDC helped me through this process of becoming a homeowner. It's the American dream that I always hoped for but never thought I could have", she added.
Homeownership is empowerment that provides financial stability as the cornerstone of your family’s economic and social well-being. Jonet is a perfect examples of how VCCDC’s work is still as important today as it was 21 years ago. With service to 20,000 families and individuals, together we have created thousands of new homeowners, invested in community revitalization, and developed tools for resiliency to help jump start family wealth.
Help create a home for the holidays for other local families with your tax-deductible gift today! Together we build communities, one home at a time.