 "Photo: Rebecca Moore")
The Wesleyan career services department recently helped two students get loans for newer cars through the Ways to Work program.
The Ways to Work program, through the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, helps individuals in need of more reliable transportation and guides them on how to better manage personal finances. Residents of Tarrant County have the opportunity to qualify for a loan to be placed in a more efficient and stable car to get to school or work.
Texas Wesleyan University has been involved in the program for two years through Sherri Mata, director of career services.
“I remember being a college student and how much better it would have been with a stable car,” Mata said.
To qualify for the program an individual must be a resident of Tarrant County, have one minor child, be employed 20 hours per week for six consecutive months and have a steady cash flow.
If qualified, individuals must have a referral to participate in the program. Referrals come from different people in the community who are members of the Ways to Work program, such as Mata. Applicants don’t have to be enrolled in a university; the program accepts referrals for anyone who qualifies.
Since Mata began working with the program she has seen two applicants, Talitha Collins and Tracy Benck, receive cars.
Collins, a recent Texas Wesleyan graduate, said she’s thankful for the program and the opportunities that were created for her.
“Talitha’s car was always breaking down and when she started student teaching, she needed to have a dependable car,” Mata said. “Ways to Work gave her the necessity to pursue her career.”
Collins was driving a 1997 Chrysler Concord that was falling apart. If it wasn’t for the Ways to Work program, she would have been without a car due to the high repair cost.
“The people with Ways to Work are very nice, and the entire process worked fast,” Collins said.
Collins received a 2002 Saturn, but within 30 days it had been totaled in an accident. Ways to Work helped her get a 2004 Chevy Cavalier to replace it.
“Now I have dependable transportation with decent gas mileage, and I am able to take my kid to school,” she said.
Once Mata ensures that an individual qualifies, she sends a referral to Karen Nolan-Rucker, manager of the program for the Arlington Chamber. Participants are interviewed and then continue with the process.
“The program increases participant’s productivity and earning power,” Mata said. “They are able to get to work on time, and in turn, they can be good employees. So many positives things come from having stable transportation.”
The program teaches how to save, avoid fraud and manage a budget to increase credit as well. Collins said the program is excellent, and everything is handled locally.
Once approved for a loan, the process can take three to four weeks to receive a car.
Tracy Benck, University of Texas at Arlington alumna, qualified for a 2004 Ford Mustang.
She links the program to her improved relationship with her son after money stress decreased.
“I would probably be living with my mother if it wasn’t for the program,” she said.
Benck’s previous car was on the verge of repossession because she couldn’t afford the high payments.
Mata, who was a mentor to Benck while she was in college, referred Benck to the program.
“I didn’t want to be seen as a charity case, but it wasn’t like that at all,” Benck said. “It’s all about improving your credit and learning how to be financially stable.”
Mata said she is willing to refer anyone who qualifies because it helps those who want to advance in their career or education.
According to the chamber, the purpose of the loan is to support job sustainability and employee retention through a car purchase or repair. The Ways to Work program “aims to improve credit and opportunities for economic self-sufficiency,” reads its Web site.
The loans range from $6,000 for a car purchase and $750 for a car repair. The loans have a maximum interest rate of 8 percent with a repayment period of 24 months.
According to the Chamber, through the program “over 90 percent of program participants indicate that their car loan has helped them maintain or improve their employment situation.”
“I stay involved in the program to help Wesleyan students and the community at large,” Mata said. “It is good for the economy, and it is a great program overall.”
To learn more about Ways to Work, contact Sherri Mata in career services at (817) 531-6552 or smata@txwes.edu.
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