Sandra Johnson of Credit Counselors in Fredericksburg listens carefully to a question asked by a Thurman Brisben Center resident yesterday during one of a series of workshops sponsored by the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority's Xi Upsilon Omega Chapter. smc

Shelter resident Shantayne Beverly holds her son Taizhon, 4, during a workshop held to mark Martin Luther King Day with community service. smc

Local sorority helps homeless residents fill out job applications and budget their finances

By JESSICA ALLEN

Date published: 1/20/2004

Group teaches job hunting, home budgets

Lesley Ford doesn't have a driver's license or a bank account. He has never written a resume and knows he has medical expenses, but isn't too sure how much money he owes.

But Ford, a 59-year-old homeless man staying at Thurman Brisben Center on Essex Street, learned yesterday how to change all that.

He and seven other homeless shelter residents attended a series of workshops that explained how to fill out job applications, apply for credit reports and budget their money.

"I learned a lot, and I think this information is going to be helpful in the future," Ford said.

The workshops were sponsored by the Xi Upsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. The local branch of the African-American sorority observed Martin Luther King Jr. Day by putting on the workshop, said member Elma William-Coleman.

"We wanted to bring something to the table that [shelter residents] can hold onto when we leave," she said.

The sorority, which also served the residents lunch, contacted professionals in the specific fields to present the workshops.

The sorority's goal goes hand-in-hand with the shelter's role of providing temporary help for homeless individuals and families. While at the Brisben shelter, residents are expected to find jobs and save money for more permanent housing.

Sandra Johnson of Credit Counselors in Fredericksburg, gave residents packets with budgeting guidelines.

She suggested they set to realistic financial goals, to distinguish between needs and wants and to record monthly expenses.

But her top rule is to "pay yourself first."

"Build emergency savings," Johnson said during the workshop. "Whether it's $2 a month or week, save."

Kelly Cohen, a recent shelter resident who attended yesterday's workshops, said she agreed.

"Money I had saved away helped me when I was sick," Cohen told Johnson.

Cohen, who moved out Friday, now lives in Hazel Hill with her two children and is saving money to buy a home. The information she learned about checking her credit report and keeping accurate records, was helpful, she said.

Alesha Hopkins, a management analyst with the National Cancer Institute in Rockville, Md., gave residents tips about filling out a application and writing resumes.

Hopkins suggested residents give details when explaining their previous work experience.

"Don't write a novel, but give examples of how your job helped the company," she said.

Date published: 1/20/2004