There is an alternative for responsible,
working parents to receive low-interest auto loans.
Ways to Work is a national program of Alliance for Children
and Families that allows qualified working parents who are unable to
get funds elsewhere, to receive loans up to $6,000 to purchase,
repair or refinance a car.
The first program of its kind in Oregon, Ways to Work is operated
locally by Metropolitan Family Service.
Loan Eligibility
To be
eligible for loan consideration, a potential
borrower must:
Be employed three months continuously
Be an involved parent
Have exhausted other
loan sources
Have a household
income less than 80% of the Portland median income (80% for a family
of 4 is $55,500)
Reside in Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington or Clark County
Have a poor credit score
Borrowers agree to repay the loan at an 8%
interest rate within two years. The money is then made available to
other applicants.
For questions about the program, or to apply, call 503.232.0007, ext. 103
Ways to Work
Services
Provides low-interest loans up to $8,000 to working
parents
Teaches financial literacy skills to
loan applicants
Improves client's
credit rating and gross earned income over time
Decreases time in transit to work
Decreases dependence on
public assistance
Increases attendance at work
Nationally, participants average a 40% increase
in household income.
Ways to Work is a sister organization of the Alliance for Children & Families with major support from the Wal-Mart Foundation, The McKnight Foundation, US Department of
Transportation and TriMet.
Sponsor:
Ways to Work
Ways to
Work, Inc., a federally-certified Community Development Financial
Institution, was established as a sister organization to the
Alliance for Children and Families to help interested Alliance member agencies replicate the
Ways to Work loan program (formerly known as the “family loan
program”). http://www.waystowork.org
waystowork@metfamily.org
503.232.0007 For questions about the program,
or to apply, dial extension 103
Metropolitan Family Service
1808 SE Belmont Street
Portland, Oregon 97214
Audrey, a single mother of two from Southeast Portland, is typical of the families served by Metropolitan Family Service. When Audrey applied to the Ways to Work program, she was on food stamps, struggling to care for her son and daughter, and had a bad credit score.
With a Ways to Work auto loan, Audrey bought a used minivan that allowed her to land a better job as an administrative assistant at a local nonprofit. She is now making 50% more a month.
The Ways to Work program also provided financial education and coaching that led Audrey to take steps that improved her credit score by more than 100 points in 6 months.
She is now enrolled in community college, taking business classes and is exploring how to start a nonprofit of her own. Ways to Work has helped Audrey and many other low-income households improve their lives.
