Larvar Edwards has dreams.

For years, she longed to start her own home healthcare agency. But a string of personal challenges, including the death of her mother, and the constant worrying about whether she had enough money to take care of her six children and cover household expenses stood in her way. However, a few years ago, Larvar decided to take control of her life once and for all.

In 2010, Larvar learned about United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania’s Individual Development Account (IDA) program, a part of Assets for Independence (AFI), a federally-funded initiative designed to assist low-income families seeking greater financial stability. Through this program, participants are required to regularly deposit funds into a savings account and, for every dollar they save, they receive matched funds - a 3:1 match for education expenses and a 2:1 match for down payments on a home. The program also requires participants to attend regular financial management workshops and one-on-one sessions facilitated by select United Way partner agencies throughout the region.

Each week, Larvar found the discipline to save money where she could and by the end of 12 months, she had $1,000. Those savings were matched with a $3,000 IDA grant, and the $4,000 was applied to Larvar’s tuition bill, giving her just enough money to cover her last semester in Delaware County Technical School’s Licensed Practical Nursing program. The opportunity to attend school without relying on student loans allowed Larvar to concentrate on getting her degree and not worry about mounting debt. With her LPN license in hand, Larvar is one step closer to opening her home healthcare agency. The financial management workshops she attended have also helped her learn how to manage a business.

Larvar’s dream, and those of more than 250 other individuals, is closer to becoming a reality because of the IDA program. A recent report by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce predicts that by 2018, 63 percent of all jobs will require at least some post-secondary education. And, we all know that homeownership is still a viable way for lower income individuals to build assets. Here at United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania, we’re fortunate to have supporters whose generosity helps us make a difference in the lives of people like Larvar. Supporters like Ira M. Lubert, who has given more than $1.5 million over the past few years to support the IDA program, play a key role in United Way’s mission to create lasting change in the lives of people throughout southeastern Pennsylvania. Because of Mr. Lubert’s passion to help others, it isn’t just Larvar who sees a brighter future, but her children as well. Larvar’s oldest child, a 17-year-old son, is more determined than ever to go to college because he was inspired by his mother’s pursuit through the IDA program. He now knows that anything is possible, if you are determined to succeed.

As we end this calendar year, I hope each of you can find it in your hearts to do what you can to make a difference so that the Larvars of our region can get one step closer to fulfilling their dreams.

Sincerely,

Jill M. Michal
President and CEO