Meet Maria: An Ariva Client Story
Financial literacy is the key to long-term financial health and stability, yet so many New Yorkers lack the resources and support they need to achieve it. That’s why free financial counseling and tax preparation are at the heart of what we do. Maria, one of our Ready to Rent and Financial Counseling clients, came to us with little knowledge about budgeting or personal financial management. But since working with our financial counselor, Kerly, Maria has made significant strides in her financial wellness journey.
Just last year, Maria was mostly dependent on her husband and had no bank account of her own. She wasn’t working and lacked personal savings. Kerly knew the first step was to help Maria establish financial independence. First, she helped her open her first bank account and apply for SNAP, Cash Assistance, and a MetroCard. After helping Maria meet some of her immediate needs, Kerly knew the next steps were to help her file her taxes and pursue affordable housing through our Ready To Rent Program. And great news! After taking advantage of our free tax preparation NYC services, Maria is now expecting a $14,000 tax refund! This is a significant financial milestone for her, and thanks to our free financial help services, she has the knowledge to manage it, set priorities, and more.
“Ariva has had a significant impact on my life. I’m now in a position to support my children in the future and can share my financial knowledge with them as they get older,” says Maria.
Looking ahead, Maria’s next priority is to secure affordable housing for her and her family, as they are currently living in a shelter. With Kerly’s help, Maria is taking advantage of our Ready to Rent program, which helps New Yorkers prepare for and apply to the NYC Housing Lottery for affordable housing. Through Ready to Rent, we help make sure your application is error-free and ready to submit. Maria already has a log number and is on the waiting list, and together with Kerly, she is actively submitting applications to increase her chances of securing a home.
Maria’s journey is an inspiration to all of us and a reminder that it’s okay to start from zero. Through her journey with us, she’s now working, receiving direct deposits from her job straight into her bank account, and has started building her own savings. She has never been more confident and self-sufficient. You can also walk through our doors knowing nothing, something, or everything about your finances – it doesn’t matter! The point is that you will walk away transformed and thankful for taking the next step to transform your life.
For Maria, our services made all the difference in her quality of life. She has gained a new sense of independence and confidence and is even helping her husband better manage and control their finances together. We look forward to continuing to support Maria as she achieves more of her financial goals. Her story is proof that we all can improve our financial journey.
“I would like to express my deep gratitude for being able to support clients like Maria through Ariva. It is rewarding to provide free financial counseling services, and I am also especially grateful for Maria’s trust throughout this process. She has allowed us to guide her and has shown confidence in our support, which has been essential to her progress,” says Kerly.
If you aspire for a personal and financial transformation like Maria’s, our financial counseling team is here for you. Financial counselors like Kerly can help you understand how to manage your finances, apply for affordable housing through the Ready to Rent program, build your credit, and so much more. Schedule a free appointment with one of our certified financial counselors for free financial help today.