'For my kids'

With the inaugural Getting Ahead in a Just Getting By World graduation ceremony on Tuesday, we're sharing stories from a few of the participants.  Today we meet Italy --  a working single mom of four who is eager to save money for her children's needs. 

Join us Tuesday, May 23 at 6 p.m. at Mill Grove UMC's Sun Valley campus for dinner and a celebration for these graduates and their families. Sign up here to let us know you're coming. 

In the past, it's been hard for Italy White to save money. The working single mom of four – ages 12, 10, 9 & 3 – is a school bus driver who first came to Common Heart last year seeking help with a rent bill. 

Italy White is saving the $25 Wal-Mart gift cards from Getting Ahead

classes to buy clothing and school supplies for her kids.

Her job means evenings and summers off with her kids, which also saves money on childcare, but makes it hard to pay the bills and put food on the table, she said. She was first interested in the Getting Ahead workshop because there's a free meal and childcare included each week.   

After just the first few weeks of Getting Ahead, Italy told us she had already learned a few things and was grateful to be part of the study group where they learn from each others' experiences. Recently the group was discussing budgeting and sharing tips for saving money. Each participant receives a $25 Wal-Mart gift card for each session they attend.   

“I'm learning how to save more money. I realized if I'd been saving it, I'd have more things and better things by now,” she said. “That's why I made the decision to save these $25 gift cards to buy clothes and school supplies for my kids during back to school time.”