Finding Security

Dakota Wilson contacted New Ventures Maine in the fall of 2016 to learn more about the Family Development Account program. He hoped that this program could help him provide a safe and secure environment for his one-year-old daughter. A home that they would live in for many years.

Family Development Account Program

As part of the FDA program, Dakota and his partner Cami Terry took My Money Works. They wanted to learn all they could about money management. “Being a young mother, one of my top priorities is finding ways to attain financial security. The My Money Works class at NVME taught me the value of budgeting, reducing debt, and stretching my income,” says Cami.

New Opportunities

But, you can only stretch your income so far. With his new understanding of finances, Dakota knew that his income might not be enough to support the demands of homeownership. As a result, he started the career exploration process. Dakota’s goal is to find an occupation that will increase his income and provide greater job satisfaction.

Dakota is currently in his second semester at CMCC studying Network Security/Computer Forensics. After graduation, he plans to secure employment as a Network Administrator. In addition, he continues to work part-time and is still saving for a home.

“Applying for the Family Development Account and going back to college were the first steps in accomplishing my goals of financial security and homeownership for my family,” says Dakota.

Sharing Financial Literacy Knowledge

Cami is a HeadStart family services coordinator in Farmington working for Community Concepts. Her job gives her the opportunity to share her financial literacy knowledge and skills with HeadStart parents. She also enjoys being able to connect them to programs like New Ventures Maine to create a plan for their future goals.