Hacienda shows community "The Power of Yes"

Article from the El Hispanic News

Portland, OR - Community members had the opportunity to learn about everything from how to open a bank account to how to qualify for a home loan last week at an event called "El Poder Del Si" (the Power of Yes). Hacienda Community Development Corporation(CDC) and Washington Mutual held the homebuyer and banking fair June18 at the Balthazar Ortiz Community Center in Northeast Portland.

"The reason we do these kinds of events has a lot to do with our mission of assisting hard working families to improve their household's economy," said Pietro Ferrari, executive director of Hacienda CDC. "This is what the Power of Yes is all about - empowering the residens with the information they need to function and succeed - the ability to say ' yes' to the opportunities to realize their full potential."

The free event included remarks from Portland City Commissioner Sam Adams, who told attendeess of his family's financial troubles during his childhood and his own less-than-perfect financial decisions as a young adult, which led to him declaring bankruptcy.

""I am no stranger to hard work, but with these obstacles, owning a house was not something I thought I would be able to do." Adams said."

A financial gift from a family memver ultimately allowed Adams and his partner to make the downpayment on a a house, but Adams realizes everyone does not have the same opportunities."

""Hard-working families should be able to afford to own their home without relying on the luck QI was fortunate enought o have," Adam said. " I feel so strongly about this because I learned first-hand that homeownership is the key ingredient in economic success. On average a working family makes more money in the equity built up in their homes over a 10-year period than in the stock market. In other words, owning a home is one of the most important investments in our future we can make.""

Subjects of classes and discussions included financial literacy and house hold budgeting techniques. for more information visit haciendacdc.org