Lakota Funds Successful I.D.A Participants
The Lakota Tiwahe IDA Savings Program is a collaborative effort between Lakota Funds and Security First Bank. It demonstrates the effective combination of economic education and personal efficiency training to realize a significant change towards spending and savings for low-income individuals. Participation is limited to a first come, first serve basis. This past year Lakota Funds I.D.A. Program has seven individuals who successfully participated. The individuals who finished two years of saving and building their assets were able to use their savings for small business, college costs, and homeownership opening or closing costs.
Diane Lessert is one of Lakota Funds’ successful IDA savings participants who saved for extra college expenses. Diane had seen a Lakota Funds IDA presentation given by Tonia Young in her personal finance class. Believing it was too good of an opportunity to pass up, she decided to try it. She stated that taking part in this program made her realize that it’s not hard to save, and she totally trusts Lakota Funds. This gave her a big jump in helping her save. Her experience with the classes and the information from Lakota Funds was all good. It taught her how to budget with a savings plan in mind too, plus she is doing her own recruiting for this opportunity.
All the participants completed workshops designed to build financial literacy and personal enrichment. Two of the participants have completed their saving for extra capital for their small business goals they have already began. Miss Lynette Hunter had saved up for equipment to help her small business, Hair’s The Place salon. She was drawn to the program by the three to one match of funds she put into savings. Lakota Funds gave her the opportunity to make an impact in her life and family.
Lakota Funds has a new session of IDA participants beginning this year, all interested person need to contact Lakota Funds for more information and application. Savings and budgeting are two ways of taking control of your finances.
Pictured: Lynnette and Nisa Hunter