Taking a Pause : 2023 in Review

Written By Junket Inc

Forever Family Newsletter No 07

A new year has arrived and it’s time to take a pause and look back on the exciting year it’s been. We began 2023 rolling out our new Individual Grant Program, offering Junket members the opportunity to build their own map for working toward stability and success. As we’ve reflected, it’s been so exciting to see the concrete ways our funding was used to achieve major goals for each Junket member that we will continue to build on in 2024.

We are grateful for those in Junket who participated and put in the work, allowing us the opportunity to speak into their lives and offer what guidance we could as they step into their unique path toward success and living life to the fullest.

SOME GRANT HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS YEAR!

  • iPhone: having consistent service, the same phone number to use on resumes and accounts (not getting locked out when needing secondary verification!) and always being connected to support systems.

  • Driving school: learning how to drive for better job placement opportunities.

  • GED tutoring: working toward GED so higher education and a broader job field can be pursued.

  • TAXES: learning more about taxes each year, growing in confidence about how to file, and always enjoying the return!

  • ID replacements: having proper ID’s to apply for work, get verified and also obtain housing.

  • Apartment: learning how to set up an apartment, work with the essentials but also make a home, providing a safe haven for retreat and rest.

  • Immigration assistance: accessing replacement documents to prove green card status in order to  seek employment and obtain services.

  • Legal assistance: retaining custody of children, working to keep the family safe with an order of protection and the layers of support needed to maintain positive family relationships.

  • Student Loans (SAVE plan enrollment): working to get student loan connected to the best program to manage repayment as well as reduce the total amount owed.

  • Checking/Savings Accounts: setting up bank accounts (the first one for some!) and building financial knowledge to create a solid positive foundation for good budgeting and money management.

  • Secured Credit Cards: setting up secured credit cards in order to build credit history in a safe, structured way. (A few went from no credit history to a credit score of 720 just in 2023 alone!)

  • Debts paid: Paying off small outstanding debts enabling credit score to improve

  • Credit Score Monitoring: learning how to track credit score and manage financial habits yielding better rates for the essentials (insurance, car loans etc)

THE SECONDARY IMPACT!

  • Housing retained

  • Families remaining together

  • Safety/Stability

  • Credit score improvement

  • New jobs obtained

  • Education furthered

  • Confidence built!

  • Progress observed!

As we emphasize each year, we cannot do any of this without YOU; whatever your contribution is from monetary, helping out in person, in-kind donations, down to just believing in us, it all matters. We are so grateful to have the privilege of doing what we do.

In 2024 we will continue to walk alongside the Junket members, building on the foundation we established in 2023, continuing to bridge the gaps, helping turn on more lights as they walk in their path to success and work toward their full potential, all the while celebrating them as the remarkable, unique, amazing individuals they are.  

Onward to a hopeful 2024.

Sara + Heather

Junket Inc
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Individual Member Grants