Determined to make life better

Montgomery County Community Action Development Commission

Ronda Thornten

Ronda Thornten's life changed when a co-worker referred her to the Montgomery County Community Action Development Commission (CADCOM), the Community Action Agency that provides services to low income residents of Montgomery County. She was trying to escape a difficult and dangerous personal relationship and provide a safe stable home for her daughter.

With no money saved and no resources to get additional money, Ronda called CADCOM to inquire about rental assistance and followed with a visit to the office. While in the reception area, Ronda saw a flier about the Family Savings Account (FSA) program that provides a dollar for dollar match on savings to purchase an asset and knew this was a program that interested her.

She met with Angela Smith, the FSA program coordinator, and soon the longing of homeownership developed into a plan. In November 2004, she enrolled in the Family Savings Account program, began taking financial literacy classes and started saving money on a monthly basis.

While enrolled in the Family Savings Account program, Ronda and her daughter, Rahdia, became homeless. They began roaming from house to house, but Ronda was determined not to withdraw any of the money she'd saved in the FSA program. She was only four months from completing the program and obtaining her match and had come too far to turn back. Ronda sought help from CADCOM, who assisted her with the security deposit to move into an apartment that offered a month-to-month lease. Rhonda stayed focused on obtaining a home to call her own.

After working hard and keeping focused on her goals for over a year, Rhonda and Rahdia had a home of their own. With the help of CADCOM she had escaped a difficult personal relationship and on-going homelessness. Ronda serves as an example that hope can take you far but determination and drive can take your further.