The six graduates collectively earned more than $63,000 in escrow savings, which is the second-highest total in the program’s history.
SAN ANTONIO — On Thursday, Bexar County officials celebrated the achievements of six people who graduated from the five-year Family Self-Sufficiency program.
The program, run by the Housing Authority of Bexar County, assists residents receiving federal housing assistance work toward financial independence and long-term stability.
Participants set and work meeting goals related to education, employment and homeownership, all while building savings through an escrow account as their income increases.
“This is what it’s all about,” said Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai. “It’s about helping people so they can help their children, they can help their grandchildren and so we can move this community forward in a positive way.”
One of the program’s graduates is Zahra Mohamed, a mother of four who immigrated from Somalia almost two decades ago.
She spent some time in the North Dakota-Minnesota area then came to San Antonio to pursue medical school where she’s training to become a family physician. It was at a job fair where Mohamed discovered the FSS program.
“It’s helped me learn all the things that go into being a first-time homebuyer, economic literacy, budgeting and it also helped me save money toward buying a home,” Mohamed said. “There’s a lot of people who are in my shoes who want to accomplish a goal but sometimes they’re hindered from things like not having the proper funds for housing and things like that so I think that this is really important for the community.”
Cordelia Diaz is a San Antonio native who said at one point she was on the brink of homelessness before finding the program. Inspired by her daughter’s recent graduation from nursing school, Diaz decided it was time for a change.
With renewed purpose, Diaz is pursuing an education and is now driven to give back, especially in the areas of healthcare and homelessness.
“Just because we’re in a situation doesn’t mean that we have to stay in this situation,” Diaz said. “There’s help out there.”
The six graduates collectively earned more than $63,000 in escrow savings, which is the second-highest total in the program’s history.
To learn more about program eligibility, go here.