Another IDA graduate buys first home

In 2003 Bereket Johannes immigrated from east Africa to America with his wife in search of the American dream. Four years and two children later, the Johannes, through the matched-savings Individual Development Account program, saved enough money to purchase their first home in Jacksonville, Florida.

“My wife works part-time and cares for the babies and I work 2 jobs in order to save money toward a home. The IDA program helped us stay focused on our dream, and now, we are closing on a home of $180,000 value! Now our babies will have a real home and yard to play in.”

Vanessa Boyer, IDA program director, is estatic for the Johannes family. “These wonderful, warm, hard-working people arrived in America just four years ago, enrolled in our program two years ago, and have already saved their target amount and will be closing on their new home next week. That is what this program is all about – discipline, hard work, and experiencing the sheer joy of placing their own house key into the front door of their own home for the first time.”

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