For the second straight year, Mission Possible is trying to help selected Flint residents reach their financial goals – and they’ll be able to get $3,000 toward those goals in the process.
Applications are open for Mission Possible’s Accelerated Saving and Asset Program (ASAP). The program was designed to help people in Flint save, attain some financial stability, begin building wealth, and reach a financial goal like saving toward a home, vehicle, or starting or expanding a business. Once participants save $500 and complete various financial literacy-related workshops in the program, Mission Possible matches their $500 investment with $3,000.
“One participant (last year), she was able to purchase her daughter’s first car,” said Gianna Oliver, program manager for Mission Possible. “But on top of her purchasing a car, we put her in a room with financial advisors and they advised her specifically on the ins and outs of purchasing a car, gap insurance, and everything else that goes into that process. So we tailor our education for whatever the specific asset is that the participant is trying to save for.”
The program is open to Flint residents who are 22 or older and low- or moderate-income. It is supported by the Community Foundation of Greater Flint’s Community Leadership Fund and Financial Plus Credit Union. The application is available at this link.
Oliver anticipates about seven or eight people will be accepted into the cohort. Once selected, they begin a year-long program with the first half focused on helping them save their $500.
“The first six months, participants save $500, and once they meet that goal, they’re matched with $3,000,” Oliver said. “But it is a year-long program. The first six months is all about savings, account building, differences between banks versus credit unions, and that type of teaching. And then after the first six months, we’ll get into whatever it is that they’re saving for. So we focus the workshops on what they need for the asset they want to save for.”
Witnessing the first cohort go through the program last year was an inspiring process for Oliver.
“It’s really invigorating to be able to help people reach their goals, there’s nothing better than that,” Oliver said. “Like, you did all of the hard work and we just put you in the place with people that you didn’t know you needed. We just like filling those gaps for people who might want to purchase a home for example, but don’t know what to do, where to start, who to talk to. And when you come to ASAP, we will give you the tools you need like credit repair, credit building, things of that nature.”
In addition to helping individuals, there is also a larger outcome. Participants in ASAP will take the things they’ve learned and spread them throughout the community.
“When people have the information and the education on what it is that they need to succeed, everybody benefits from that,” Oliver said. “You know how easy it is to have a conversation with a friend and say, ‘Hey, I’m planning on buying a car,’ and the student that has attended our ASAP class can say, ‘Oh, well you need to maybe look at this bank for your loan because the interest rate is this.’ With the training from ASAP, we hope that it will just become generational, that we are planting seeds that will grow and further the community as well.”
ASAP is just one of several programs offered through Mission Possible. The nonprofit organization is focused on building sustainable communities in Flint through education, financial literacy, and economic development. A recent Youth Real Estate Academy taught kids about the real estate business, career possibilities, and home ownership. They also have a culinary program geared toward students, a summer golf program, and other ways of teaching various life skills. The organization’s Facebook page is the best way to learn about new programs and opportunities as they arise.
“We are always doing, um, educational programs that service the community,” said Oliver, who has been with Mission Possible for three years. “Our goal is just to eliminate the barriers, provide the education, and support people as much as we can. From surviving to thriving.”
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