After living in a refugee shelter in Chicago for several weeks, 32-year-old Venezuelan-born Jose G. was eager to find permanent housing. Luckily, he was in the shelter when he heard Jessie Flores, a GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment  Housing and Financial Counselor, sharing information that could help him do just that.

As a partner to the City of Chicago shelter, the GLCU Foundation’s housing and financial counselors helped the shelter’s residents access stable housing. Jessie assisted residents in applying for the Asylum Seeker Rental Assistance Program (ASERAP). The ASERAP initiative was managed by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), whose primary mission is to finance the creation and preservation of affordable housing in Illinois. The IHDA connects people with financing programs to help them afford homes.

Jose expressed interest in applying for the ASERAP program to get permanent housing. After reviewing his documentation and verifying he met the program requirements, Jessie helped him fill out the ASERAP application and submit the necessary documents. During their meeting, they reviewed his lease agreement, discussed tenant rights and responsibilities, examined the ASERAP program guidelines, and looked at additional resources such as help with utilities and furnishings, available through the shelter.

Once his application was submitted, Jose needed to also have his prospective landlord, Mr. Lopez, apply as well. Jessie provided the same thorough assistance to Mr. Lopez, and through a series of phone calls and meetings, Jessie was able to educate him about the ASERAP program. She explained the program guidelines and application process, verified the rental agreement information, and obtained a new lease attestation for Jose.

Jessie helped to ensure Mr. Lopez was providing accurate information when he filled out his portion of the ASERAP application. Together with Jose’s Catholic Charities case manager, Jessie worked with Mr. Lopez to ensure his application would be approved.

“The shelter is a terrific partner to the GLCU Foundation. Their advocacy, support and community outreach aligns well with our goals of providing stable housing for refugees looking to be self-sufficient,” Jessie noted.

Within just 17 days of submitting his initial application, Jose’s ASERAP application was approved, and he received $5,600 in funding for stable housing.

If you or someone you know is in need of free financial and housing counseling assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out  and  schedule a free screening. 

The information in this post is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. You should consult a licensed financial advisor before investing in any financial product or service. 

As the charitable and volunteer arm of Great Lakes Credit Union (GLCU), the GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowermentembodies the credit union philosophy of “people helping people” through its ongoing financial and volunteer support of community partners throughout Chicagoland. 

Giving Back Through Volunteerism and Youth Financial Education 

The GLCU Foundation gives back through offering financial education programs to the community. One of the GLCU Foundation’s impactful partnerships includes teaching a money management curriculum to trade students taking part in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) program at the College of Lake County.  

Beyond providing financial grants, the GLCU Foundation amplifies its impact through hands-on volunteerism. GLCU team members regularly contribute their time to community giveback events through the “Great Wave” volunteer program. In 2024 so far, GLCU employees have spent nearly 2,000 hours volunteering in the community. 

GLCU employees also facilitate youth financial education events through the Money Mammals®, Adolescent$™, and Bite of Reality programs. Money Mammals programming focuses on teaching kids ages 3-11 smart money skills. Adolescent$ programming teaches youth aged 12-18 healthy money habits and how to set financial goals.  

Bite of Reality is a budgeting simulation program that offers high school students hands-on experience managing household expenses such as daycare, food, car payments, rent, and more. In 2024 so far, GLCU employees have impacted more than 1,000 youth through financial education sessions. 

Addressing Food Insecurity  

Rooted in the belief that financial empowerment begins with community well-being, the GLCU Foundation partners with organizations that address the needs of local families and individuals who are facing food insecurity. Through collaborating with groups like the Northern Illinois Food Bank, COOL Ministries Food Bank, Common Pantry, and more, the GLCU Foundation focuses on creating opportunities and providing resources for those who need it most. 

Building Stronger Communities 

By leveraging the strength of its partnerships and the passion of its volunteers, the GLCU Foundation aims to make a tangible difference in the lives of those in need. True to its mission, the GLCU Foundation is building stronger, more resilient communities, one partnership at a time. 

The GLCU Foundation wouldn’t be able to do the impactful work it does without the support of its partners and donors. Please consider donating to the GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment this GivingTuesday! 

The GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment is proud to offer free housing and financial counseling to both members and non-members alike. Through housing and financial counseling programming, families improve their financial situation, address their housing needs, and pursue their long-term housing and financial goals.

Whether a client is planning on buying a home, reducing their debt, or saving for retirement, GLCU’s HUD-certified counselors help them get on the path to financial empowerment.

GLCU counselors provide education and counseling in the areas of:

The Foundation’s Housing and Financial Counseling Impact

So far in 2024, the GLCU Foundation has helped save $2,750,000 in assets through foreclosure intervention counseling. This is especially impactful as Illinois has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the U.S.

Additionally, the Foundation holds financial education workshops on a variety of topics. Specifically, each month the Foundation holds a first-time homebuyer seminar covering homeownership readiness and affordability, money and credit management, financing, and the purchase and closing processes.

Carol, one of the GLCU Foundation’s financial counseling clients, attended a first-time homebuyer seminar and learned about getting preapproved for a mortgage, her credit score, eligibility requirements for mortgage assistance, and much more. Carol said the 6-hour workshop was, “very informative, and the speakers from the GLCU Foundation were empowering.”

Shevon Johnson, a HUD-certified housing and financial counselor at the GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment, assisted Carol with the homebuying process, helped her find a mortgage lender, and helped her receive the down payment assistance she was eligible for as a first-time homebuyer.

“I am extremely grateful for all the awesome assistance that Shevon and the GLCU Foundation provided to me. Your seminars really empowered me to take the next step in my journey and achieve my dream,” Carol said.

Support the Foundation

The GLCU Foundation’s HUD-approved housing and financial counseling program is one of the largest in the state of Illinois, and GLCU is one of only a handful of credit unions in the country to offer such a program to the communities it serves.

The GLCU Foundation wouldn’t be able to do the impactful work it does without the support of its partners and donors. Please consider donating to the GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment this Giving Tuesday!

Having no debt is a terrific thing. But it can come at a cost if you haven’t established any credit. When Antoinette B initially made an appointment with the GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment to meet with Housing and Financial Counselor John Borthwick in 2020, she was debt free, but didn’t have any credit established.

John advised her to open a secured credit card to establish credit. Secured credit cards use the members’ savings as collateral so that when they use their credit card, they have the funds to pay it off, which is a nice segue into building credit.

Antoinette left the initial meeting and went home to think about it. On the one hand, she didn’t like the idea of having any debt. On the other, she needed to build credit. It wasn’t until 2023 that she returned, when her need to establish credit became more pronounced.

She had endured many issues with her landlord over the past few years, and after being unable to resolve them, she began apartment hunting. Unfortunately, all the landlords and property owners she spoke with informed her that she needed to have a credit score in the mid-600s.

John recommended she build her credit to have a stronger footing while looking for a new residence. Antoinette agreed that while she had some issues with the rental, it could wait while she built credit. John worked with Antoinette, teaching her how to research and compare product features.

Ultimately, Antoinette opted to open a GLCU Secured Visa® credit card because she trusted the credit union, appreciating the education and good service she’d received over the years.

Once she had the secured card, John helped her check on it monthly to ensure that she had been paying the balance off before the end of the month for reporting’s sake. In August 2024, John asked if she would want to look at her credit. Antoinette agreed, and when he pulled her report, she had a credit score of 728.

She was ecstatic and said that she felt like she really had so much more power with her finances and talking with landlords. She said that she looked forward to receiving more guidance from the GLCU Foundation as she decided how she wants to change her living situation moving forward.

The information in this post is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment or financial advice. You should consult a licensed financial advisor before investing in any financial product or service.

If you or someone you know is in need of free financial and housing counseling assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out and schedule a free screening.

When 57-year-old mobile homeowner Richard H’s profession of floor installation took its toll on his body, he applied for disability. Unfortunately, he was denied. Being unable to work, he couldn’t pay the rent on his home’s lot. His uncle had helped him with his bills in the past, but unfortunately wasn’t in a position to pay the $10,000 he was behind in his lot rent.

Richard’s mobile home park was now taking him to court to evict him from the property. Since Richard didn’t have the money to move his home, the result would not only be a loss of his lot, but also of his mobile home, which he owned free and clear.  

Richard began working with an attorney to appeal for the disability, but still didn’t have any income to pay the current or past due rent on the lot. Luckily, another family member stepped up to bat for Richard, putting him in touch with the GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment.

After meeting with GLCU Foundation Housing and Financial Counselor Jeannine Folan, Richard began to feel hope in an otherwise hopeless situation. Together, Richard and Jeannine applied for the Court-Based Rental Assistance Program (CBRAP) though the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA). Beyond that, Jeannine assisted the mobile home park property manager with her portion of Richard’s application.

While waiting for the application to be approved, Richard received his eviction judgement and was given seven days to pay his entire past due balance or move out! At that point, it looked like he was going to be homeless.   

Jeannine immediately reached out to a contact at IHDA who had helped her with another application. Her contact rallied a team at IHDA to get the application reviewed and approved with the hope of getting the park owner to accept the funds and dismiss the court case. This took intense effort on everyone’s part. Jeannine contacted the property manager to get the additional documents that IHDA needed for their review.

Representatives from IHDA then swiftly reviewed the application, approved it, and began working with the park owner to get the eviction case dismissed, all within the seven days after the eviction judgement was handed down. The case was dismissed and IHDA paid the past due lot rent.

While this was very satisfying news, Jeannine was still concerned about the lot rent going forward. The property manager had put Richard in touch with the local township office and they had consented to pay a portion of his lot rent on an ongoing basis. Jeannine reached out to Richard’s uncle, who agreed to pick up the balance of the lot rent each month, giving Richard some peace of mind while he awaits the results of his disability case.

“Everyone involved in helping Richard keep his home really rallied behind him. It took heroic efforts on everyone’s part, but it was worth it in the end,” Jeannine commented. “Congratulations to everyone involved for a successful resolution.”

If you or someone you know is in need of free financial and housing counseling assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out and schedule a free screening.

When Regen Marsell was looking for a mortgage to buy his first home, a family member recommended that he apply for one from GLCU. Given that the credit union offered him a closing credit (as well as a lower rate), Regen said the decision to choose GLCU as his mortgage provider was a “no brainer.”

The closing credit is accessible to homebuyers regardless of their location of purchase or first-time homebuyer status. Regen closed on his home in Lake Villa, Illinois in April of 2024. He used his lender credit to help pay his closing costs, which allowed him to use more money from his savings to renovate his home.

“GLCU made the process straightforward, smooth, and easy,” Regen said. “They helped remove any roadblocks and made it possible for me to close sooner than expected if I wanted to.”

GLCU was also on hand to answer any questions Regen had, explaining the homebuying process to him every step of the way. When asked about what he would tell other homebuyers considering applying for a mortgage and closing credit with GLCU, Regen said:

“Do it. It’s a free resource that made closing costs a lot more manageable for me as a first-time homeowner.”

At GLCU, we’re committed to making homeownership more accessible to everyone. That’s why we’re proud to offer a $3,000 closing credit to our members through September 30th, 2024. To be eligible, you must be pre-approved for a GLCU mortgage by September 30th, and close by December 31st, 2024. Check out our rates and consider applying today.

If you’d like to learn more about the homebuying process, we encourage you to attend one of our free first-time homebuyer seminars.

A series of unfortunate events began snowballing for Christine V. during the COVID-19 pandemic: she lost her job, her kids contracted COVID, and she was unable to find work. It wasn’t long before she found herself more than $33,000 behind on her mortgage payments.

On the brink of losing her home to foreclosure, Christine recalls being “extremely overwhelmed and discouraged.” She knew she had to do something to keep a roof over her family’s head because, as she said, “that’s all we have.”

Determined to save their family home, Christine sought help. Through the Illinois Housing and Development Authority (IHDA), she discovered that Great Lakes Credit Union (GLCU) is one of only five credit unions in the nation to offer a HUD-approved housing and financial counseling program. She reached out to the GLCU Foundation’s financial and housing counseling team and  was referred  to Jessie Flores, one of the GLCU Foundation’s six housing and financial counselors.

Jessie discovered Christine’s mortgage lender had started foreclosure proceedings. She worked with Christine to apply for a grant through the Illinois Emergency Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF).

Meanwhile, Jessie helped Christine review her expenses and determine the status of her financial situation. Not only was Christine’s mortgage severely in default, but she was also at risk of having her water shut off. Jessie immediately helped Christine create an action plan.

The two worked together tirelessly for two months, during which time Jessie provided much-needed direction, resources, and support to Christine. Christine applied for assistance with her water bill through Kendall Grundy Community Action. She applied for the SNAP program, as well as the Nicor and ComEd financial assistance programs to help bring her utilities current.

Their persistence paid off. During a follow-up call, Christine was happy to report she was approved for all the programs she applied for! Her mortgage is current, and her utility bills are affordable now.

Bad things happen to good people all the time. But it’s especially sweet when there’s a happy ending. Christine’s decision to act quickly and seek help saved her home, and she said she’s grateful to the GLCU Foundation for helping her turn her financial situation around for the better.

“I’m so thankful to Jessie and the GLCU Foundation! I really appreciate all the support they have given me,” Christine said.

If you or someone you know is in need of free financial and housing counseling assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out and schedule a free screening.

The information in this post is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. You should consult a licensed financial advisor before investing in any financial product or service.

By Rachel Popa, Content Marketing Specialist at GLCU

Michelle Collins, a retired banker, didn’t know how she was going to help The Leaders Network open a credit union in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, but she was determined to make it happen. Despite being one of the largest neighborhoods in Chicago by population and geography, Austin has long been considered a financial services desert, meaning that its nearly 100,000 residents lack access to essential banking services.

Michelle, the daughter of a West Side pastor, grew up in Austin, worked in community development banking in the neighborhood for more than 30 years, and is passionate about financially empowering its residents. She first learned about The Leaders Network, a group of multicultural, interfaith, and community leaders, after the organization awarded her the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Keeper of the Dream award in 2019.

The Leaders Network is dedicated to following Dr. King’s vision of creating a “beloved community,” and to establishing a better quality of life for marginalized groups living in Chicago’s West Side and beyond. After attending a meeting and seeing the work The Leaders Network is doing in the community, Michelle joined the organization as a strategic advisor, and was asked for her help to open a credit union in Austin.

Bringing the Credit Union Philosophy of “People Helping People” to Austin

Unlike large banks where customers are often treated like just like another number, credit unions are community-minded organizations that aim to build relationships with their members. This hands-on approach to community development, improving members’ financial well-being, and building relationships led to the decision to open a credit union in Austin.

“We’re going to initiate a new day and a new way of conducting financial transactions on the West Side,” said David Cherry, president of The Leaders Network. David has been a member of The Leaders Network since 2015 and has 35 years of experience as a community organizer. “Credit scores are only a part of a person’s life story when applying for credit. There are so many things which our credit union will take into account which banks won’t.”

After Michelle made some calls and met with others in the credit union industry, the Illinois Credit Union League introduced Michelle and The Leaders Network to Great Lakes Credit Union (GLCU), and the two organizations set their sights on bringing the first-ever credit union branch to the Austin neighborhood. After months of planning, construction, and hard work, the Leaders Network Financial branch of GLCU opened its doors on April 24th, 2024.

“For me, it’s really a dream come true,” Michelle said. “It’s a miracle that we can have a credit union…a real, fully-fledged financial institution right in the heart of Austin.”

“It’s going to be transformative and history making,” added David.

Banking for a Greater Good: Expanding Access to Financial Services

Before the Leaders Network Financial branch of GLCU opened, there was only one financial institution available to serve Austin’s residents. Because of the lack of financial institutions in the area, many people in Austin had to rely on currency exchanges and predatory payday lenders to get by.

“I remember stopping at the currency exchange that’s at Chicago and Cicero in the Austin community. I was standing there, and the person was counting out how much cash this person was about to receive. Just think – you’re cashing out two weeks’ worth of pay, and so you’re [getting] all that cash and taking it home,” David said. “There was so many robberies taking place at that Chicago and Cicero location, they actually put an armed security guard in the space. But the problem is that once you leave the space then people can still rob you when you’re walking down the street. It’s just such a terrible way for so many people to live.”

And without access to a checking or savings account, people often store cash at home or keep it in their wallet, where it’s easier to spend – and to lose, David said. These underbanked residents also miss out on taking advantage of interest-bearing accounts, and the protection and security a financial institution provides.

With the median household income in the Austin neighborhood sitting at $38,407, many can’t afford to pay for emergency expenses or put money into savings. As a result, some West Side residents turn to predatory payday lenders to cover bills and emergency expenses. Payday lenders charge exorbitant interest rates, which leads to people paying back much more than what they borrowed. This contributes to generational cycles of poverty, where people struggle to get ahead.

“By the time they finish paying off their [payday] loan they they’re so much in debt that they’re behind on their light bills, they’re behind on their rent,” David said. “It’s been an unmitigated disaster for people. Austin has been hit hard by these [payday lenders].”

Financially Empowering the Austin Community

The Leaders Network Financial branch of GLCU offers much-needed alternatives to currency exchanges and payday lenders. For example, the credit union offers affordable Fast Cash loans to help members cover emergency expenses, with approval for a loan based on the member’s relationship with the credit union, not their credit score.

Members can also take advantage of the credit union’s Credit Builder loan, which offers a no-cost opportunity to establish or improve their credit score. And with the credit union’s Fresh Checking account, members can build a positive financial history without a monthly balance requirement.

In addition to accounts and loans that help members get back on their feet, the credit union offers small business loans, mortgages, home equity lines of credit, interest-bearing checking accounts, share certificates, retirement accounts, savings accounts, and other essential financial services – paving the way for financial and economic empowerment in the Austin community. Free HUD-certified housing and financial counseling is also available to both members and non-members in the community.

“I believe that financial literacy [and] the access to capital to make improvements will uplift the community,” Michelle said. “When you’re investing in your home or becoming an owner where you can become an investor, the equity that you’re building is wealth building for the community.”

“[We’re] that first step, that seed that’s planted to show them how to save,” said Reggie Little, a business development specialist at GLCU. Reggie started his banking career in Austin in 1985 and played a key role in opening the Leaders Network Financial branch of GLCU. “With us lowering the bar to a dollar to open up a savings account [or] CD, just knowing that you have a CD can give someone a sense of pride. Of course, you can grow that CD as time goes by, but we’re helping them take those baby steps.”

By prioritizing the needs of those who have been underserved and breaking generational cycles of poverty, Leaders Network Financial and GLCU are ushering in a new era of opportunity for the Austin community and beyond.

“Fortunately, I had financial education growing up. I’m in a position to not only help myself but help others who may not have had that experience. So, I can now let people in the Austin community know that there’s options for them,” said Cedric Collins, assistant branch manager for the Leaders Network Financial branch of GLCU. Cedric is Michelle’s son and has spent a lot of time in the Austin community as well over the course of his life. He has a background in retail management and said he’s looking forward to following his mother’s footsteps in the financial industry.

Building a Better Future Together

Now that the branch is open, Michelle, David, and the branch staff are looking forward to seeing the impact it will have on the Austin community and beyond moving forward.

“As we continue into 2024 and 2025, there’s going to be so many opportunities to reach out to the churches and to other groups,” David said. “The goal for all of us is to transform Austin.”

The Leaders Network Financial branch of GLCU aims to bridge the wealth gap, help West Side residents build generational wealth, and enact positive change in Austin and surrounding areas.

“I’m excited to help the underserved,” said Beatriz Hernandez, the senior branch manager for the Leaders Network Financial branch of GLCU. “I think that’s very important, especially in this community. Those individuals that have been using our ATMs have expressed so much gratitude – just being able to have an ATM where they don’t have to drive far away. That is one of the most important things I’m seeing.”

“It’s long overdue. I’m excited to serve the community,” Cedric added.

“What happens in Austin is important to not just people that live in Austin. If you live in Oak Park, if you live in River Forest, if you live in Maywood – we’re all in this fishbowl together,” Michelle said.

Excited to return to the neighborhood where he started his career, Reggie added, “I really love Austin. I have high hopes and dreams for this community. I would love to see it become the next Lincoln Park or Jefferson Park or Wicker Park. We have the ability.”

Together, Leaders Network Financial and GLCU are working to build a stronger, more financially secure community on the West Side. The Leaders Network Financial branch of GLCU may be the first credit union to open its doors in the Austin neighborhood, but the goal is for it to not be the last.

“Let’s make Austin this shining example of what is possible,” David said.

Learn more about Leaders Network Financial and GLCU’s mission to increase access to financial services in Austin and surrounding communities and apply to become a member today.

Carol had been renting a small, overpriced apartment in the Uptown area of Chicago for more than 15 years. While she enjoyed her space, she felt a growing need to follow the American dream of becoming a homeowner. Realizing the importance of having a target, she established a deadline to purchase a home by her 59th birthday in February 2024.

Like many first-time homebuyers, Carol was overwhelmed and didn’t know where to start. She began educating herself on the homebuying process and in August 2023, she registered for the GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment’s first-time homebuyer workshop. She learned about getting preapproved for a mortgage, understanding her credit score, eligibility requirements for mortgage assistance, and much more. Carol said the 6-hour webinar was, “very informative, and the speakers from the GLCU Foundation and the Realtors were empowering.”

With her confidence bolstered, Carol then consulted with Shevon Johnson, a Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-certified housing and financial counselor at the GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment. Under the guidance of Shevon, Carol realized that her credit score and budgeting skills were on par. Shevon then advised her of her debt-to-income ratio, and discussed what price range would be the best fit for Carol’s budget, with a monthly payment she could feel comfortable with.

During the homebuying process, Carol had a lot of questions. Helping Carol feel empowered was important to Shevon, and Carol felt reassured knowing that Shevon was there to assist her. “I had a number of one-off questions and Shevon was always helpful and informative,” Carol said. “When I asked her if I should buy a condo or a house, she suggested I attend one of the GLCU Foundation’s monthly online seminars about condo buying. This seminar was invaluable, and I was able to personally weigh the advantages and disadvantages of owning a condo and decide for myself.”

As she guided Carol through the homebuying process, Shevon helped Carol find a mortgage lender. After Carol was approved, Shevon discovered that Carol was eligible for assistance with the down payment. This assistance is specifically available to first-time homebuyers who qualify.

Thanks to the down payment assistance, Carol saved enough money for her closing costs and moving expenses. She reached her goal of homeownership with weeks to spare!

Carol closed on her 2-bedroom, 2-bath townhome in South suburban Richton Park at the end of January. “This is the ultimate birthday present,” she said. “I am extremely grateful for all the awesome assistance that Shevon and the GLCU Foundation provided to me. Your seminars really empowered me to take the next step in my journey and achieve my dream.”

If you or someone you know is in need of free financial and housing counseling assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out and schedule a free screening.

The information in this post is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. You should consult a licensed financial advisor before investing in any financial product or service.

Glory and her husband Isaac moved from Nigeria to America in 1993. The couple rented an apartment next to GLCU’s Chicago Uptown branch, where Isaac took care of all the household finances.

After Isaac passed in the spring of 2020, Glory fell behind on her rent. Her property management company had a history of not communicating well with tenants, which didn’t help. On top of that, after not making any rent payments for a year, Glory fell victim to scammers, leaving her virtually destitute.  

Once she understood she could be evicted, Glory made an appointment with the GLCU Foundation for Financial Empowerment. There, she met with John Borthwick, senior housing counselor. John helped Glory organize the necessary paperwork and even taught her how to access her email. Then, he helped her apply for the Illinois Rental Payment Program and tracked her application.

Throughout this time, John continued to help Glory navigate the application process, create an affordable budget with the income from her part time job, and talk about managing expenses once she was current on rent again.

Unfortunately, they soon found themselves hitting another roadblock. A payout error caused only $6,400 of Glory’s $8,200 balance to be paid in the summer of 2022. John tried to contact the Illinois Housing Development Authority and the property manager to fix the error, but once the payment had been received, they could not revisit the application.

Glory did her best to try and pay when she could, but the remaining balance kept growing and by the spring of 2023 she found herself in eviction court. John enlisted the help of Chicago Volunteer Legal Services to navigate court-based assistance but that too eventually led to a dead end based on eligibility. He kept looking up legal referrals and Glory continued to use any resource John provided to help her.

Thankfully, John’s tenacity paid off, and Glory eventually worked with Greater Chicago Legal Clinic to reach a settlement with her property manager, where she would pay a lump sum along with a little extra on her monthly rent. When she finally became current on her rent and shared the good news with John, she thanked him wholeheartedly, and said, “Since all of this trouble began, I’ve met different people that said they would try and help, but you are the only one that stuck with me through everything.”

Glory managed to get an extra shift at her job to meet the payments and is still working with John to make sure she is following the court order and managing her household budget. After fighting an uphill battle for two years together, they fondly refer to each other as a “good neighbor.”

If you or someone you know is in need of financial counseling assistance, you can learn more and schedule a free screening here.