Jonathan Smith
In 2015, Jonathan Smith enrolled in his first small business IDA. His business services were limited to offering just glass repair, restricting his market and annual revenue. He was looking to expand. After opening his account, a relatively simple process for him, he began saving. He participated in business training, counseling, and planning. These steps […]
Read MoreMarjorie Kalama
Marjorie Kalama grew up beading and began selling her beadwork at local markets in 2010. She was one of the first IDA clients at WSCAT in 2009, but her business really started to grow when she opened another IDA account in 2018. Her goal was to learn more about online marketing and how to expand […]
Read MoreLuis (Brutis) Baez
Luis Baez has always been an artist, selling CDs from his truck for $10 a piece. As streaming services began to replace the CD industry, Luis had to be creative and flexible, adapting his business to focus on selling powwow music, as it was an untapped treasure on music apps. However, he knew he needed […]
Read MoreJillisa Suppah
Jillisa Suppah first heard about the IDA program in 2013. She was interested in going back to school and wasn’t sure how she was going to pay her tuition.
Read MoreHunter Onstad
Hunter Onstad opened an IDA account in 2015 with the intent to start a beef operation. Over the course of 3 years, Hunter managed to purchase a pair of cattle and a couple of show steers.
Read MoreLatisha Waheneka
Ms. Waheneka began saving in an IDA so that she could pay for her schooling at COCC. Within six months, she had met her savings goal and had enough money to pay for her first year of school.
Read MoreSara Dowty
In February 2014, Sara Dowty opened an IDA account with the goal of buying a home for her family, including her fiancé Jacob, her four-year old daughter, and their one-year old son.
Read MoreJeannie Brisbois
As part of WSCAT’s SuperSaver program, Jeannie was able to save $7,200, including $6,000 in State matching funds, over a 13-month period.
Read MoreGreta White Elk
Using her IDA savings, Greta hired a contractor to repair the roof on her house, insulate the living room, bathroom, and laundry area, and do significant work on the bathroom flooring.
Read MoreMelissa Waheneka
Melissa Waheneka opened her IDA account in August 2010, with the goal of repairing a home her husband Harlan and she had recently inherited from his grandmother.
Read MoreJames Halliday
With the goal of getting a degree from Oregon State University (OSU) Cascades, James opened an IDA account matched with federal funding from the Assets for Independence Initiative (AFI), and began saving his own hard-earned dollars.
Read MoreGordon Scott
In August 2010, Gordon became one of WSCAT’s first IDA clients, with the long term goal of opening an auto repair business.
Read MoreShawnetta Yahtin
I’m grateful for the IDA program because it’s giving me the opportunity to save, earn matching funds, and achieve my goals much faster than I could have expected.
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