Natalia

Natalia came to Spokane 3 years ago from Maldova, in eastern Europe, with her husband Ilie and two children, Maria, age 8, and Iomeha, age 4. Natalia's husband is in construction work, and she works as a part-time caregiver, in addition to caring for her children and her elderly Mother-in-law who lives with them. Natalia is saving to invest in a small family-run janitorial business where she and her husband could work evening hours to increase her family's income. She likes to clean and has well-honed skills in this area. She is taking a class to help her learn to run the business and, when she reaches her savings goal, purchase a janitorial franchise along with the equipment and supplies she will need.  Every month when she pays the bills, she also puts money into the matched savings account, and they try to stay on a tight budget and only live on necessities. She would like to work towards being debt-free and provide for her family which is so very important to her. Natalia is a very dedicated and ambitious person who has escaped persecution, lived as a refugee, and has begun to make a new life for her family in this country.

UPDATE: As of fall 2009, Natalia has used the first half of her matched savings toward the purchase of a janitorial franchise. She and her husband are now in business for themselves and feel excited about the future.