WESTLAND, MI, September 21, 2011
/24-7PressRelease/ -- In metro Detroit, it is estimated 35% of the adult population does not have access to an automobile. The lack of reliable transportation means that getting to work, school or running simple errands can be an enormous challenge. This problem is compounded for adults with marginal credit histories, who are generally unable to obtain traditional automobile financing.
However, help may soon be on the way! Spectrum Child & Family Services and Matrix Human Services have formed a local collaborative to launch a national program for Wayne County residents that may offer solutions to their transportation needs.
Ways to Work (WtW) provides affordable car loans to qualifying working families to use towards the purchase of a reliable automobile. The program helps clients avoid high-cost or predatory lenders, and requires them to take a financial education course as part of the loan process. Since its founding in 1984, the Ways to Work program has loaned more than $44.6 million to more than 25,800 families throughout the U.S.
Roger Swaninger, President & CEO of Spectrum Human Services, Inc. (the parent company of Spectrum Child & Family Services) says, "We're excited to be able to provide this program to the hard-working people of Wayne County. Ways to Work provides low-interest loans to help families buy a car to strengthen their self-sufficiency and improve their quality of life. Having a car is not a luxury, it is often a necessity. Public transportation can not always meet those needs. In addition, paying off the car loan helps families improve their credit record, which is a critical step in attaining financial stability."
To qualify for a Ways to Work loan, a person must be employed and meet low-income standards set for the community. All clients must lack or have poor credit histories, and must be deemed ineligible for loans through banks and other mainstream financial institutions. The Ways to Work team guides applicants through the loan application process, and provides financial counseling on budgeting, credit ratings and financial planning. They also help clients find reliable cars through a network of participating dealers.
Wayne County residents who wish to apply for Ways to Work can call the WtW Hotline at (313) 456-6060, Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., beginning October 1, 2011. Due to anticipated heavy call volume, applicants are encouraged to leave a name and telephone number. A WtW team member will return the call within 24 hours.
Spectrum Child & Family Services is one of six affiliated companies of Spectrum Human Services, Inc. Child & Family Services concentrates on child welfare and provides an array of services to children, youth and families living in Genesee, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. The division serves children and teens who are delinquent or have been neglected, abused or abandoned, are medically fragile, multiple handicapped, dual diagnosed, or have behavioral and/or emotional impairments. The goal of Spectrum Child & Family Services is to improve the lives of children by strengthening and empowering the family unit to become self-sufficient, stable and competent.
Programs and services include adoption, foster care, shelter services for girls, parent nurturing programs, residential programs for teen mothers, youth aging out of foster care and teens with alternative lifestyles. The division also offers Wraparound programs, substance abuse prevention and in-home counseling services to adjudicated youth. For more information, visit http://www.spectrumhuman.org.
Ways to Work is a Community Development Financial Institution based in Milwaukee, WI. Through a network of loan offices across the country, Ways to Work provides small, short-term, low-interest loans to working poor families with challenging credit histories. The program provides an alternative to predatory lenders for people with a demonstrated commitment to achieving increased self-sufficiency and intent on pursuing a higher degree of success in mainstream financial markets. To learn more about the national Ways to Work program and its operations, visit http://www.waystowork.org.
Spectrum Human Services Inc. is a child welfare, mental health treatment and family preservation organization. Founded in 1976, Spectrum believes that all people have the right to receive services designed to support and uplift, as these individuals strive to achieve their highest potential. The programs and services offered by Spectrum Human Services, Inc. impact children, youth, teens and adults with mental, physical, emotional and/or behavioral disabilities. Services are provided throughout Michigan in Berrien, Genesee, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Manistee/Benzie, Monroe, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. For more information, visit http://www.spectrumhuman.org
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