Origin SC: December 2020

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Financial Planning tips for the New Year

Financial Planning tips for the New Year

Roughly 80% of Americans planned to make New Year’s resolutions for 2020, according to a WalletHub survey. But fewer than 50% of those resolution-makers were expected to keep their vow for a full year, which is not a good sign for hopes of improved money management.Start your New Year off with a new resolution in the right direction with a plan, a financial plan! Be sure to begin with small realistic goals first so you can move toward your larger goals. First look at a large goal such as buying a house or retiring early and then look at the things you will need to do to reach that larger goal. Regardless of your goal, it is wise to set up a support system[LJ1] to make it easier to reach your financial goals and Origin SC is ready to help you. It is also important to measure your progress periodically throughout the year. Here is what Tavia Watson, the licensed and HUD certified coach at Origin SC suggested. “Develop financial goals (short term and long term) navigate a plan to achieve your goals Budget monthly include all expenses: fixed, variable and periodic expenses. Open a Christmas fund with your bank and use this account for a savings (not technically for Christmas gifts) but for things related to your goals: Purchase a home, car, pay off debt, go on vacation.”

Here are 4 more tips to begin your journey down the right path to successful finances.

1. Start a budget – create a monthly budget and reduce spending in specific categories as each month goes on. Your budget should include your monthly fixed, variable, and periodic expenses. Examples of fixed costs include rental lease payments, salaries, insurance, property taxes, interest expenses, depreciation, and potentially some utilities. Variable costs can be general expenses such as clothing, groceries, and car maintenance, or resource expenses such as fuel, electricity, gas, and water. Periodic expenses are things like car repairs and costs that happen every so often.

2. Work towards getting out of debt– set up payment plans, reduce spending, and contact Origin SC’s Debt Management program!

3. Start saving $- stop eating out, less frequent visits to coffee shops (make your own at home), find ways to save on utilities, and set a monthly savings goal.

4. Learn about money & finances- It will help to learn more about how to successfully manage your money. Every year at Origin SC, we help thousands of people gain control over their financial future. Our licensed staff in the Financial Education & Coaching division of Origin SC will help you create and stick to a budget, break the chains of debt, and plan for the long-term. Our programs include:

Budget Planner Recommendation 1

Budget Planner Recommendation 2

Meet the Staff: Amy Bare

MEET THE STAFF: Amy Bare

Title: Human Resources & IT Associate

Hometown: Abingdon, VA

Years Working for Origin: 4 months

Favorite Hobby: Reading and spending time with my wife and our two yorkies, Wrigley (13 years old) and Oliver (6 years old), and our newest addition, Reiki, who’s an 8-week-old golden retriever.

1. What drew you to Origin SC originally? And how has the organization changed since?

As a graduate student pursuing my Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, I was seeking opportunities for an internship this past summer and hoped to join an organization whose values and commitment to community aligned with my own. For me, it was and remains important to be a part of a mission that is centered in the promotion of equity, fairness, and stability where individuals and families are empowered through strength-based services such as advocacy, counseling, and education.

2. What has surprised you the most about working at Origin SC?

I don’t know that I was necessarily surprised, but I have certainly been invigorated by the dedication and commitment of our staff to the mission of our organization and most importantly, by the intense effort they give on behalf of our clients. It is both refreshing and inspiring to work with a group of compassionate professionals who recognize that the relationships we build with our clients are as important to our success as the services we offer.

3. What is an experience that has really shaped who you are?

There have been several life experiences and thankfully, many amazing and inspiring people along my path that have certainly influenced who I am today. I would have to say though, that it was my own personal journey of coming out that has shaped me the most. The reason for that is because mine was also a journey of self-acceptance and it was something only I could do for myself. Coming out is a very personal decision and the process is different for everyone. Ultimately, what guided my decision to come out was my own personal desire for authenticity and integrity. By that, I simply mean, I wanted to experience the realness of life openly, honestly, and in congruence with my own personal values and beliefs. That decision, by far, has made all the difference in my life and has provided me with a sense of purpose and wholeness that I may have never experienced otherwise. Personal challenges help make life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. I’m grateful for this journey.

4. How has Origin SC helped you in your career development?

My own lived experience has instilled in me both a personal and professional commitment to counseling, advocacy, and community outreach initiatives that serve to encourage and advance equality, diversity, and inclusion. Working at Origin SC has provided me with a unique opportunity to do exactly that while building trusted partnerships with other community organizations with a shared purpose of helping individuals and families throughout the Lowcountry area.

5. What is one thing that you are most proud of?

I am most proud of my decision to go back to school to earn my master’s degree after having spent 23 years in a completely different career field. That decision is what eventually brought me here to Origin SC where I am reminded daily of the kindness, compassion, and empathy that not only still exists, but shows up every day engaged and determined to create a positive impact in the everyday lives of real people and their families.

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Meet the Staff: Amy Greer

MEET THE STAFF: Amy Greer

Title: Homeless Prevention Case Manager

Hometown: Lafayette IN

Years Working for Origin: 1.75

Favorite Hobby: Shopping

1. What drew you to Origin SC originally? And how has the organization changed since? I was drawn to the organization when I was in college and saw a presentation from Kristin about the programs and services Origin offers and thought it would be a good place to work.

What has surprised you the most about working at Origin SC? The amount of people who need our services from housing, debt management, homeless prevention, representative payee and conservator all serve a vital role in the community and allowing people who might not be able to flourish without assistance flourish,

3. What is an experience that has really shaped who you are? Taking care of my dad who passed away in 2016 of Alzheimer's. I had to learn compassion, how to handle someone else money, how to work with debt collections, how social security works, how to be an advocate. But most of all how to talk to people with out making them feel dumb when they did not know or understand something. It gave me a deeper understanding that people need to be loved right where they are and learning to communicate love to them is a despite intellectual barriers is vital for successful relationships.

4. How has Origin SC helped you in your career development? I love getting to learn to do new things from working in debt management and helping to digitize the program, then working in homeless prevention and RepPayee I am learning to work with Social Security and filling out reports, also I get to work with people finding solutions to rental issues. So I have learned a lot of things and somehow information I have learned despite the job I still use to help the clients I serve.

5. What is one thing that you are most proud of? Getting my bachelor’s degree before I turned 30!

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Giving Tuesday 2020

What is Giving Tuesday?

Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 as a simple idea: a day that encourages people to do good. Over the past seven years, it has grown into a global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity. Whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts and everyone has something to give.

When is Giving Tuesday?

Giving Tuesday 2020 is Tuesday, December 1^st 2020.

How is Origin SC participating in Giving Tuesday and how can you help?

This year for Giving Tuesday, Origin SC is raising funds for our FVIP (Family Violence Intervention Program). With your support, Origin SC’s Family Violence Intervention Program continues to make progress towards ending the cycle of domestic violence. Your gift directly supports victims of domestic violence on their path to becoming SURVIVORS. We know one of the major factors that often prevents victims from leaving their abuser is a lack of financial stability. Your contribution enables us to help provide supportive services to victims of domestic violence that help them achieve emotional and financial stability. Your unrestricted donation to Origin SC can help raise awareness about domestic violence and strengthen financial stability in the community creating a healthier local (and personal) economy.

Donate NOW: https://originsc.networkforgood.com/projects/112712-family-violence-intervention-program-everyday-giving

Origin SC – FVIP Program Overview & Success Stories

At Origin SC, we offer group workshops and individual counseling for those who have experienced violence or abuse in the home. We know that the first step to healing is asking for help and, when that happens, we’ll be there to offer support and guidance. Each client is seen for an individual assessment to determine their specific needs. Once needs are determined, each client receives a treatment plan and is seen either in a group or individual setting.

Our programs include:

We understand the various dynamics influencing life situations, and are prepared to take on even the most challenging circumstances.

Below are two testimonials from recent graduates of the program.

“At first I didn’t realize why I needed classes. As the classes went on, I was shocked at how much I have learned and needed to learn about myself. I learned self- care is very important, as a mother of four I forgot about myself. These classes gave me my life and my self-worth back. They taught me it’s ok to start over if needed. The financial class taught me budgeting and savings ideas. My counselor gave me many resources. Learning about the different types of abuse helped me a lot. Setting boundaries with my husband has also helped. I learned a safety plan if anything in the future occurs. Origin SC, thank you for helping me see me for how great I am truly! I would highly recommend these classes to any friend or family members. I look forward to taking the First Time Homebuyers class! Thanks again Origin and my counselor! Y’all are the best!”

“I was scared, I didn’t know what options I had. I was constantly giving in to my abuser and walking on eggshells trying to make him happy and have him leave my children and I alone. My friends were frustrated with me, but his family and our church was telling us that divorce was bad and I should just forgive him. As stressful as it was, I’m grateful that DSS showed up at my apartment and referred me to Origin SC because for the first time, I heard the truth about my situation without judgement and was given everything I needed to succeed. Thank you.