Financial Literacy
AAMHA understands that assets build community and AAMHA greatest assets are its residents. It is because of this that AAMHA recently developed a financial fitness curriculum which currently includes ten classes on budgeting, banking, credit & debt management, savings & investing, insurance, college preparation, taxes and homeownership.
In 2010, AAMHA participated as part of a national NeighborWorks® effort with AmeriCorps VISTA volunteers to help the community development field strengthen and revitalize communities facing unprecedented challenges in the wake of the foreclosure crisis and recession. During this time AAMHA worked with a VISTA volunteer to focus on issues impacting low-to-moderate income families in Bexar County, including bolstering financial fitness and asset building.
To date, AAMHA has had over 200 residents participate in the financial fitness courses. After taking one or more classes, 15% of all class participants have opened savings or asset building accounts within a 6 month period. Residents have also shared testimonies that can confirm positive behavioral changes as a result of their attendance.
Because of our work on this financial curriculum, an ongoing partnership has grown with Neighborhood Housing Services of San Antonio. Our basic Homeownership class introduces our residents to NHS's local opportunities and through the courses we have been able to assist residents in accomplishing their dreams of homeownership.